“The best medicine is peace. There is no health without peace, and there is no peace without health.” These words by Dr. Tedros, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), echoed in my mind during the annual World Health Summit (WHS) in Berlin in 2024. As he spoke about WHO’s humanitarian efforts in Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza, and Lebanon, I couldn’t help but wonder: why not Myanmar?
This was my first time attending such a high-level global health event, and it felt even more significant because I had the opportunity to join the launch of the first Youth Declaration on Creating Healthy Societies by the WHO Youth Council. The invitation-only, closed-door event was filled with eloquent speeches, ambitious goals, and some reflections on youth’s role in global health. Yet, I noticed the absence of youth voices from conflict zones.
That morning, I had promised myself that I would bring our story to the table on behalf of my people from Myanmar. I spoke about the displaced youth, medical professionals learning to use guns in the jungle to resist the military, and the cessation of formal education for over three years since the coup. The first call to action in the declaration was about ensuring access, equity, and inclusion in health and education, so it felt right and necessary to share Myanmar’s story. It was very special to meet Dr. Tedros, and I got to personally urge him not to forget Myanmar, though I’m not sure if he will remember, given that he meets hundreds of important people daily.
The WHS taking place in Berlin is special. The city’s history of division and reunification after the fall of the Wall in 1989 symbolizes collective resilience and hope. At the same time, the irony of Berlin’s Light Festival celebrating freedom was not lost on me, knowing that freedom remains a distant dream for so many around the world.
Two weeks later, I traveled to Nagasaki to participate in the Emerging Voices for Global Health (EV4GH) 2024 venture. Over two intense weeks, we bonded through long days, countless group activities, and deep conversations ranging from the challenges post-colonial nations face in adopting Western democratic values to Japan’s post-World War II narrative.
The most impactful experience was visiting the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. It was heavy, as expected, but it also filled me with immense gratitude to witness this history firsthand. Years earlier, while studying the psychological impacts of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, I could only imagine the devastation. Seeing it in person, my chest tightened, but I also discovered something profound: the story of Dr. Takashi Nagai.
Finding peace through Dr. Takashi Nagai
Dr. Nagai, a Japanese physician and survivor of the atomic bomb, left a lasting legacy in post-war Nagasaki. After losing his wife in the bombing, he raised his two children and dedicated himself to relief efforts. His writings, including The Bells of Nagasaki and Leaving These Children Behind, documented the horrors of war and championed the pursuit of peace. His detailed medical report on the bombing’s aftermath became one of the first records of its kind.
Picture taken at Nagasaki Atomic Bomb museum
Dr. Nagai’s story moved me deeply. I visited his home, Nyokodo (“Love Your Neighbor as Yourself”), and his memorial museum. Despite battling leukemia, he continued writing, sketching, and advocating for peace. He penned the words “peace forever” in Japanese and shared them with the world, receiving visits from figures like Helen Keller and a special envoy from the Pope. Dr. Nagai was even named Nagasaki’s first honorary citizen before passing in 1951.
As I walked through his memorial, I reflected on one of his profound quotes:
“It is a cowardly man who starts struggles and wars. The person of love is the person of ‘bravery’ who does not bear arms. The person who does not bear arms does not fight. In other words, he or she is the person of ‘peace.’” ( From “Peace Tower” )
That visit was transformative. Dr. Nagai’s story restored a sense of hope and optimism in me, an antidote to the contagious pessimism that had taken root since Myanmar’s military coup in 2021.
Emerging Voice
This renewed sense of hope accompanied me to HSR 2024, the global health systems research symposium, which was an overwhelming mix of perspectives. Some participants walked their talk, others repeated the same issues, and some seemed oblivious to the world’s realities. Yet, through it all, I found my voice emerging, particularly alongside fellow EV4GH participants from Myanmar who continue to persevere under military dictatorship, as well as those from Egypt and Palestine. Their resilience reminded me why our voices matter.
In these global spaces, I’ve often questioned my role: How can I stay accountable? How can I remain grounded when discussions about vaccine equity feel disconnected from the reality of people buying falsified COVID-19 vaccines in Myanmar? Most importantly, how do we restore peace?
For the first time in four years, I found peace in Nagasaki. Dr. Takashi Nagai’s life taught me the power of “loving others as we love ourselves.” As he believed, even small acts can ripple outward, creating lasting change, just as little drops of water form a mighty ocean. To me, this is what being an Emerging Voice means: using our voices to amplify peace.
Peace is the best medicine
As I was finalizing this article, Israel and Hamas reached a – very fragile – Gaza ceasefire agreement. Let’s hope this glimmer of hope indeed materializes in the days to come, and leads to a lasting peace to ensure a better life and improved health for those affected. Globally, challenges are equally huge. WHO reports that 305 million people globally are currently in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Yesterday, WHO launched its Health Emergency Appeal for 2025 to protect the lives of the most vulnerable in the most challenging circumstances. Peace will remain paramount for effective, life-saving health interventions.
As I continue to find peace, I wish for 2025 to unite us in peace and empower us to celebrate our differences.
Meeting Dr. Tedros at the World Health Summit, Berlin, 2024