The Civil Health and Development Network (CHDN) vowed to work hard to ensure that healthcare is available for residents in remote areas of Karenni State—also Kayah State—while medical staff employed by the government take leave to join the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) against the military regime.

CHDN director Khoon Phillip told Kantarawaddy Times that despite “many difficulties” related to “security” of their staff they want to provide medical assistance to those who need it. “Many patients visit our clinic so regardless of what happens we will have to take care of them.

 

Two days after the military regime’s February 1 coup, health workers across the country launched the CDM, refusing to work until the democratically elected government is restored. Since, many civil servants, private sector staff and students joined the movement.

CHDN is comprised of ethnic medics who provide care to locals in remote areas of the state where government health services are not provided. It is not allowed to open a clinic in downtown Loikaw.

CHDN was formed in 2012 by six health departments from different ethnic armed organizations. It has more than 500 medical staff working in 7 townships of Kayah State, 2 townships in Shan State and one in Karen State.