Kay Du / Kantarawaddy Times
“I have fought alongside my comrades on the frontline. I only held a gun but never once fired it at the enemy. Even when we captured enemy soldiers, I treated their wounds with my own hands.”
These are the words of 24-year-old Comrade Khu Sue Reh, a member of the Karenni Army (KA), who chose to become a medic with the desire to save the wounded youth after the military coup. His compassion extended not only to friends but even to his enemies.
After the 2021 coup, Khu Sue Reh attended the Karenni Army’s 71st basic military training batch and later served as a medic.
“My biggest motivation was to help comrades on the frontline. That’s why I joined the medic team to save the lives of wounded comrades,” he explained.
Originally, Khu Sue Reh’s dream was not to become a medic but to become a teacher who could educate young people. However, when the coup destroyed his path to teaching, his desire to share knowledge transformed into a mission to save lives.
Today, Khu Sue Reh stands shoulder to shoulder with comrades on the battlefield, trying to save as many lives as possible.
Looking back on the four years he has served as a medic, Khu Sue Reh recalled one painful memory he can never forget.
“My three comrades were right in front of me when a 60mm shell landed directly on them. All three were hit. One had just a small wound on the forehead and survived. But, for the other two, one was hit in the head, and the other across the entire body. I performed CPR myself, but I couldn’t save them. No matter how much I tried, it didn’t work. I couldn’t even eat for three days after that,” he said with sorrow.
This is not a good memory, though. Medics like Khu Sue Reh continue to face such painful experiences daily. All they want is for their fellow youths to survive, but sometimes fate or circumstance leaves them powerless.
When he first chose to become a medic, his aim was to save lives. Yet, the moments when he failed to rescue someone were heartbreaking and saddening for him. However, these experiences also strengthened his determination for the revolution.
When he is not deployed on the frontline, Khu Sue Reh spends his time providing medical care to locals and displaced civilians at nearby IDP camps.
“Even the time when I’m not on the frontline, I still treat patients. Sometimes I join the local nurse, go on field trips, and provide care for IDPs. That’s how I help during my free time,” he explained.
For unpaid comrades and medics, providing such outside care comes with financial challenges, especially travel expenses.
Due to his compassion for his patients, Khu Sue Reh also shared how he tries his best to help despite the difficulties of travel costs, whether the patient is near or far.
“Sometimes patients call me, and I go at my own expense. Occasionally, once in a few months, community elders give me some pocket money, but most of the time, whether patients are far or near, I travel using money from my own pocket,” he shared.
Having grown up witnessing the cruelty of the military regime, Khu Sue Reh now bears the hardships of revolution for the sake of future generations.
No matter how exhausting the journey may be, he is very determined to never give up until the revolution succeeds.
“I will continue this medical work until the revolution ends. I will help comrades as much as I can. Sometimes I also want to support their families,” he said.
Like Comrade Khu Sue Reh, many young male and female medics are using their skills and strength to save wounded comrades on the battlefield. Some have even sacrificed their own lives in the process.
Today, these medics, including Khu Sue Reh, remain stationed on various frontlines, doing everything they can to heal and save the lives of the young revolutionary fighters.
