The civil disobedience campaign started by health workers against the new military government imposed by the February 1st coup, has now spread to ethnic states and especially Mon State. It has been carried out in more than 80 hospitals all over Myanmar.

Around 50 assistant doctors and nurses joined the civil disobedience campaign on the morning of February 3rd in front of the People’s Hospital in Yay Township in Mon State declaring they will not work under a military regime.

Since February 2nd, health staff from the 300-bed Children’s Hospital, the General Hospital an, the 300-bed teaching hospital and the 550-bed Children Hospital in Mandalay launched the civil disobedience campaigns to show their opposition to the military coup.

An assistant doctor from Mon State said: “From my standpoint, this campaign is good however we also need to think about the welfare of patients. How can we provide care to the patients? I have heard our hospital has joined the campaign.  I am committed to joining the campaign.”

As the civil disobedience movement expands, doctors and assistant doctors across the country say they can no longer perform their duties. They feel compelled to show their opposition to the coup after the detention of the government leaders including the President and the State Counsellor. 

A private doctor said: “It is very good. It is a highly significant event. The doctors are in the frontline and they are very tired due to the pandemic and they have a long list of grievances.”

Similarly the health workers from Mawlamyine General Hospital in Mon State will stage a civil disobedience campaign.