Medical training is helping to rebuild Myanmar’s antiquated healthcare system, offering hope for the millions of people in urgent need of medical care.

A team of six nurses and two general surgeons received training at the Shija Hospitals and Research Institute in Manipur, India. The team will receive training in keyhole surgery, critical care and operating theatre technology over a three month period.

Teams from Shija Hospitals visited Myanmar previously to perform a range of surgeries, including cleft lip and palate corrective surgery, keyhole surgeries and cataract operations. These were done for free, improving the quality of life for many patients in the country.

Myanmar has a population of over 48.7 million, with over 26% living below the poverty line. It emerged from military rule in 2011 and its economy is estimated to have grown by 6.5% in 2013. Investment from the Asian Development Bank has helped reinvigorate the country’s banking sector, which is expected to lead investments in its infrastructure.