The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is one of several royal colleges lighting up their buildings in red today, the first anniversary of the deadly coup in Burma/Myanmar, in a moment of solidarity and remembrance for health workers in the country who have risked, and lost, their lives to provide care.
The gesture, led by the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET), is also being marked by the Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Surveillance System for Attacks on Healthcare, 283 attacks have been documented against health workers in Burma/Myanmar since 1 February 2021, accounting for nearly 40% of the global total.
Health workers are being targeted by the military for attempting to treat those injured during protests, and many of those who manage to reach the injured lack the skills and knowledge necessary to treat severe traumas. This has contributed to the rapid and complex deterioration in Burma/Myanmar’s health system since the coup.
For the past year, members of royal colleges and the broader UK health community, including the Burma/Myanmar diaspora in the NHS, have come together to support their colleagues in the country through the provision of training and humanitarian assistance.
Andrew Goddard, president of the RCP, whose London headquarters will be illuminated, said: “The Royal College of Physicians stands with its members and all healthcare professionals who have now endured the dangerous situation in Burma/Myanmar for 12 long months. We remain concerned for the safety of our colleagues as they attempt to do their jobs, just as we are for all those in Burma/Myanmar who rely upon them to protect their health and wellbeing. It is unacceptable that health professionals should face restrictions or violence as they attempt to care for others."
RCP members and fellows are invited to join a virtual event at 6pm today to explore ways of supporting the Burma/Myanmar healthcare community in the aftermath of the coup and COVID-19. Please register by emailing global@rcp.ac.uk