The military regime has blacklisted and withheld the degree certificates of approximately 800 doctors who were set to receive certification in 2025, preventing them from practicing. This has been a growing trend targeting healthcare workers associated with the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) — a peaceful protest led by civil servants against the military coup that brought the regime to power. Those affected began medical school in 2018, prior to the junta’s coup in February 2021. The junta has also barred them from applying for passports or traveling abroad. The refusal to issue certificates appears to be in retaliation for the doctors’ refusal to return to government jobs to complete their residencies after the failed coup. Although the doctors signed an agreement to serve as government employees for three years after completing their studies, those who failed to fulfil this commitment were required to pay a fine of MMK 1 million (around USD 650 at that time). However, the junta has also refused to issue certificates to those who had paid the fines.
On 10 March 2025, the junta announced the arrest of 7 people, including three foreign ministry officials, involved in the facilitation of notary services for a student with a certificate from the Interim University Council of the University of Medicine (Mandalay) who applied to study abroad. The National Unity Government (NUG) is an exiled government formed by elected lawmakers and MPs who were ousted following the 2021 coup and the Interim University Council of the University of Medicine (Mandalay) is an NUG-affiliated institution.