23 Students Graduate JSMK Medic Training Program

28 April 2020

Karen State, Burma

In March 2020, FBR’s Jungle School of Medicine Kawthoolei graduated its 2019 class of 20 students and 3 interns following their 15 months of study. Flanked by district leaders and visiting doctors, nurses, and administrators, the students celebrated their successful completion of the program. Several students were singled out for academic achievement. In the days that followed the new class arrived and began their foundations training in English, mathematics, science, medical history taking and physical examination.

The start of the 2020 academic year was overshadowed by a worldwide outbreak of the COVID19 virus. In a cooperative effort JSMK joined with local village leaders to plan for the arrival of the outbreak which included training village leaders and village health workers on how to support sick patients in each village. Villagers will be taught to shelter in place, isolate elderly persons at highest risk of death, and how to isolate and care for those sick with the virus. Specific instruction in hand washing with soap and surface cleansing with dilute bleach will be given. Medications will be provided as indicated including Chloroquine Phosphate. At the JSMK in-patient department, the quarantine house was upgraded and an isolated hand-washing station was created, anticipating the arrival of patients with severe forms of the infection. JSMK staff are learning new skills, including personal protective equipment and isolation procedures.