Myanmar's Secret Jungle Nursing School Graduates First Class Amid Conflict
This week, a clandestine ceremony marked the graduation of 21 nursing students in Myanmar, who completed a three-year degree course while evading the military junta's surveillance and violence. The ceremony, held in secret, celebrated the first cohort of the Phoenix Bachelor of Nursing Science programme, designed with assistance from the UK's Royal College of Nursing. These graduates are now prepared to treat displaced populations and pro-democracy fighters who cannot risk government-run hospitals.
Operating in a War Zone
The students trained as part of an underground health system that has developed since the February 2021 coup, which suppressed pro-democracy protests and sparked civil war. Safety is never guaranteed, according to Khun Sue Reh, a 23-year-old graduate. Alongside standard coursework and exams, the students faced airstrikes on training hospitals, government spy drones, roadblocks, and internet blackouts. The UN estimates that since the coup, 18.6 million people in Myanmar require humanitarian aid, 3.2 million are internally displaced, and over 55,000 civilian buildings have been destroyed.
A parallel secret health system has emerged to serve those avoiding government-controlled hospitals or living in areas outside regime control. Khun and colleague Rosetta, already students when the coup occurred, joined the opposition Civil Defence Movement. Khun stated that this allowed him to stand up for his beliefs and participate in peaceful change, while Rosetta felt compelled to act due to the difficulties faced by many around her.
Building an Underground Education System
April, a Burmese nurse educator, explained that nurses initially joined peaceful demonstrations, but after junta crackdowns with violence, they set up secret clinics to treat protest injuries. As conditions worsened, they dispersed across the country. April contacted UK colleagues, leading to video masterclasses on protest injury management. When internet access became restricted and data prices soared, videos were smuggled on memory sticks.
Healthcare access in Myanmar has been severely disrupted, with about 1,900 incidents of violence or obstruction recorded since 2021. Hospitals and clinics have been damaged, at least 170 workers killed, and 909 arrested, with 70% of incidents attributed to the Myanmar armed forces. Marcus Wootton, associate director of international nursing at the Royal College of Nursing, noted that existing training videos were insufficient, prompting the creation of a full undergraduate degree programme.
The Phoenix Degree Programme
Dozens of international academics recorded lectures for 58 modules covering Myanmar's curriculum, from newborn care to tropical diseases. April and colleagues established a nursing school deep in the jungle, using basic classrooms with Starlink internet for pre-recorded sessions and practical activities. Wootton described the challenging conditions: lack of clean water, shelter, and constant risks from drone and air attacks, with bombs landing near classrooms and frequent relocations due to fighting.
Resources are scarce in jungle hospitals, with even basic items like paracetamol difficult to obtain due to junta blockades. Khun recounted an airstrike on his hospital during a clinical placement, forcing evacuation with patients. Rosetta studied in temporary shelters while hiding from drones, with internet connections limited and monitored, requiring careful planning to avoid detection.
Emotional and Physical Struggles
Beyond physical dangers, students face emotional stress. Khun expressed fear and worry for family, friends, and the community, but emphasised that their lives are not just about struggle—they have dreams, hopes, and determination to contribute to a better future. Despite the hardships, there is no compromise on quality; Wootton described the degree as meeting international standards and the achievement as extraordinary.
Currently, five cohorts are studying, along with others in a one-year programme for diploma nurses upgrading to degree level. In a thank-you letter to the RCN, a student wrote that the name Phoenix symbolises rising from the ashes of destruction caused by the coup, representing the reconstruction of Myanmar's ethical healthcare system built on compassion, democracy, and professionalism. The names of those in Myanmar have been changed for safety.
