Good Deeds of Burmese Doctors

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

I say “Sadu, Sadu, Sadu” to the Burmese doctors or physician and other health professionals providing first aids and health care to the Burmese people demonstrating peacefully in Burma from 22^nd to 24^th September 2007. These health professionals are following the footsteps of their fathers, brothers and colleagues who have contributed similar services to the people in times of need in Burma.

(Monks Protest in Rangoon in September 2007)

They have contributed their services in the independence struggles against the British colonialists, Fascist Japanese and the White Chinese (Kuo Ming Tan) invasion of Burma. They also took part in the forefront of the struggles against the self proclaimed pathetic BSPP regime of U Ne Win. Hail to the patriotic Burmese doctors, nurses, health assistants and other health workers of the country!

(A Devastated Place in Pyapon, Irrawaddy Delta, Burma
After Cyclone Nargis)

During the British colonial days, Dr Hla Shwe, younger brother of Bo Let Ya and father of Dr Thar Hla Shwe, the past rector of Institute of Medicine 2, demonstrated against the British in the forefront of students’ column in the “Htaunt Thone Yar Pyeyh Ah Ye Day Bon (1300th Burmese Era Revolutionary Event)”. He was the president of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (Ba Ka Tha) and Rangoon University Student Union (Ta Ka Tha). His anti-British words were fiery, his demand for independence was daunting, and his patriotism was overwhelming.

(Nargis was the Name of the Actress in Mother India; it Means a Daffodil)

And during the Japanese occupation, he looked after the Burmese patients at the Rangoon General Hospital. He admitted all the Burmese patriots to the RGH who were being looked for by the Japanese Fascists to escape Japanese arrest. Even U Ne Win acknowledged his role in a mass rally in the 1980s.

(A Burmese Doctor in Action in he Nargis Disaster Relief)

During the Japanese occupation, many doctors and nurses joined the Burma Army led by General Aung San who was fighting for independence. Dr Maung Maung Gyi, a graduate of the London University, joined the Burma Army Medical Corps (BAMC) as the most senior Burmese doctor. He later became the first Director of the BAMC. Colonel Hla Han, Colonel B.K. Chang, Colonel Yoke Htyang etc were his junior colleagues. They fought against the cruel Japanese fascists and they treated the people who fought against the Fascists. Some Burmese doctors joined the ant-Fascists resistance movement as ordinary fighters like Dr Nath (Tun Maung) of CPB. General San Yu and Brigadier Maung Maung left the medical school to join General Aung San.

(The Path of Cyclone Nargis Over Burma)

Few people knew that the late Dr B. K. Dutt, an assistant lecturer in anatomy at Institute of Medicine 1 in Rangoon, belonged to the Communist Party of India and was President of the Young Communist League in West Bengal. He went to Calcutta every year to attend it annual meeting and he had not been in Burma continuously without a break that was necessary for him to be eligible for Burmese Citizenship. However, this fact was glossed over on retirement on compassionate ground as I recommended him for his 25 years service in the medical school. Dr Nyan Chit was not so fortunate like him. Dr Nyan Chit worked as an assistant surgeon at the Mandalay General Hospital with distinction and then as a demonstrator at he Institute of Medicine Mandalay. He went underground during the BSPP era to be captured by the Burma Army. He died in prison.

(Dr Ba Than, GOM of Burma's Medicine, Stayed Behind in Burma

During WW II To Serve His Burmese People.)

The late Dr Ba Than, the Dean of Rangoon Medical College several times before 1964 and the first Rector of Institute of Medicine 1 and Institute of Medicine Mandalay did not follow the British administration to Simla in India during the Japanese occupation. Instead, he remained in Burma operating the unfortunate Burmese patients at the Rangoon General Hospital. He treated both famous and ordinary people like General Aung San, Thakhin Than Tun, Bo Ne Win and so on. Eventually Bo Ne Win married his daughter, Daw Khin May Than.

He was put under DE (Departmental Enquiry) when the British returned to Burma. He told the Enquiry Commission that he served his desperate and desolate Burmese people in Burma as a doctor during the Japanese Occupation when there were not enough doctors practicing irrespective of its consequences. He was acquitted and praised for his service and patriotism.

(Map of Burma and Shan State; Click on the Map for Enlarged Picture)

There were many Burmese doctors who served the country in time of crisis. There was KMT (Kuo Ming-Tan) Chinese incursion in 1949/1950 in the Eastern Shan States and the Burma Army was defending the KMT forces with inadequate arms and men. Many young Burmese college students joined the Army for that purpose and no adequate medical cover was there. Patriotic Burmese doctors like Drs Soe Thein, Pho Myat Ya, Tha Khin, Maung Maung Myint, Tin U joined the Burma Army and went to the front line at the risk of their lives. Major Dr Soe Then told me he was once lost in the jungle, being cut of from his unit. He had to take off his boots, put water in one of them and climbed a tree for hiding. He was found out by the Burma Army only after two days. He thought he would be dead.

(Brigadier-General Kyaw Zaw Fought Successfully Against the KMT Troops in Shan State

and Against the Mujahids in Arakan)

Major Dr Tin U served as a Regimental Medical Officer in Mongton and Mongsat under Brigadier-General Kyaw Zaw in fighting the KMT Chinese invasion forces. The fighting was very intense and he had to operate both day and night under fire. Once he was operating a soldier in an emergency to save his life and he did not retreat despite the Brigade Order to retreat immediately. For him the life of the soldier was more important than others. Brigadier-General Kyaw Zaw came to him personally and ordered the infantry to give cover for the Field Hospital to finish the saving of soldier’s life. They retreated only after the operation was over and successful.

(The Golden Triangle Seen From Thailand Side Where the KMT Army Invaded

,planted Opium and Opium Growing Continues to This Day)

Major Tin U was awarded by a citation and Zeya-Kyaw-Htin Medal. He was also mentioned in dispatches.

There have been better berths for Burmese physicians in politics after independence in 1948. Dr Saw Hla Tun, Karen, became the Minister for Health. His son Dr Hla Pe joined the Burma Army as a Public Health Specialist. Another son also became a doctor. Dr Ba Maung of Taunggyi became a Burmese Ambassador to Europe. Dr Thar Hlaing, Professor of Oto-Laryngology, was also appointed as the Burmese Ambassador to Nepal. He is a Christian Chinese Burmese and a close friend of mine.

(Khun Sa's Mau Tai Army in Shan State Overseeing Opium Trade)

Many doctors became involved in politics during the BSPP (Burma Socialist Programme Party) era between 1962 and 1988. Colonels Hla Han and Maung Lwin became ministers. Colonels Thein Aung, Tun Hla Pru became Deputy Ministers for Health, Colonels Than Zin, Mya Oo became Deputy Ministers after 1988 to date.

(Opium Lord and MTA Chief Khun Sa in Rangoon Before His Death)

Many unfortunate doctors were dismissed from service or imprisoned. Dr Than Nyein and Dr Aung Khin Sint were jailed after winning the general elections in 1990 as the NLD candidates. Both are my good friends. Some more doctors are still in jail for their political convictions and activities. I remember Dr Sao Yan Naing and Dr Par Mauk telling me of their ordeals in prison after protesting the BSPP in 1988. Dr Sao Yan Naing had fled Burma and he is now in Canada. Dr Par Mauk is now dead.

(Rangoon Medical College, the Alma Mata of Most Doctors in Burma)

In short, Burmese doctors have given their services either as government physicians or private practitioners to serve the people since independence in 1948. I know Burmese physicians working day and night to cope with the huge demands of health care by the rising casualties and fighting. Then they have to serve the people with inadequate facilities and man power in the outlying districts. Who are heroic if they are not?

(Rangoon General Hospital, Training Ground For Many Burmese Doctors

and A Sanctuary For Doctor Revolutionaries Like Student Leader Dr Hla Shwe,

8888 Protest Leaders Like Dr Ba Nyunt, Dr Tin Myo Win etc.)

In the protest demonstrations during the BSPP era from 1962 to 1988, the Burmese physicians and health workers provided emergency services to the protesting populace and students. They provided with essential care during U That’s funeral event, Thakhin Kodaw Hmaing’s centenary demonstration and workers’ strikes in the 1970s. During the 1988 mass demonstrations the Burmese health professionals were in the fore front of the movement both as health care delivers and as leaders of the demonstrations.

Yes, the Burmese medical doctors form a well-respected social stratum in Burma next to the Buddhist monks. They provide not only health care, but education and general knowledge to the public. Therefore they are well respected. They must use this respect correctly by serving the people’s needs. What they need now is democracy, prosperity and freedom. Doctors must give priority to these needs.

It’s heartening to know that people from many strata of life in Burma are coming out in support of the Burmese monks who are demonstrating peacefully for peace and democracy in Burma since the past few days. Writers, artistes, journalists, film stars, comedians and all sorts of professionals are in league with the demonstrating Burmese monks. We see the Burmese doctors, nurses and other health professionals in the vanguard too. They were carrying out their esteemed health professional duties working in tandem with the Buddhist monks. They will gain merits in this life and beyond for these services. Their services are indeed good deeds. We should be proud of patriotic Burmese doctors at all times.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

31.01.2009

My First and Final Years at Rangoon Medical College

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

Preamble

During our days, the medical school started from the 2^nd MBBS and the intermediate years spent at the Rangoon University was equivalent to First MBBS. So, my caption may sound ambiguous as there was no first year MBBS either at Mandalay or Rangoon. What I meant was my initial or starting year spent at the Rangoon Medical College or the Faculty of Medicine, University of Rangoon in Lanmadaw. Here also, Lanmadaw is not meant to be a street, it’s a township. The name of the road in front of the Medical College was called the Godwin Road, now Myoma Kyaung Lan (Myoma School Road).

(Faculty of Medicine, Rangoon OR Rangoon Medical College,

Lanmadaw, Myoma Kyaung Lan, Godwin Road)

Drama of Denial to Transfer

It was in June 1959 and we had moved from Mandalay to Rangoon to put up the admission forms at the Rangoon Medical College. U San Tin, the head clerk in charge of student affairs, told us that the Mandalay students were not accepted in Rangoon. We asked him why and we liked to see the Dean. The Dean at the time was Dr U Maung Gale, retired Director (now equivalent to Director-General) of Health, and part-time Professor of Hygiene and Public Health. He went to the Dean’s room, came back and said the Dean would see us. We comprised about 4 or 5 people. I remember Than Aung, Hla Maung, Sadrul Hla Maung, Khin Mya Thwin, and Ma Than Yin. They all asked me to speak for them. We entered the Dean’s Room and saw U Maung Gale writing.He was translating Gray’s Anatomy in Burmese, a monumental task.

He looked at us and asked,” What can I do for you, students?” I answered, “We liked to transfer back to Rangoon, Sir.” He replied,” We’re instructed not to accept Mandalay Students here. I cannot accept you.” “But, Sayagyi, we were never Mandalay University students. We’re Branch Faculty of Medicine students that you sent us to Mandalay. Now that it’s going to belong to the Mandalay University, we chose to come back to Rangoon, Sir.” “Yes, what you said is true. But I cannot disobey the Government’s instruction. What you can do is you go and see the Rector at the Rangoon University. If he says yes, I’ll accept all of you.”

“Thank you, Sayagyi. We’ll now go to him and get his opinion”, I replied.

“Good, come back and report to me.”

(Convocation Hall, Rangoon University)

Rector of Rangoon University Sympathizes With Students

We then took a bus, the number 9 on the corner of Godwin Road and Prome Road and proceeded to the Convocation Hall, Rangoon University, about 5 or 6 miles away on the bank of Inya Lake. It took about half an hour. My friends asked me to lead them as Khin Mya Thwin and I were the only ones who had been in Rangoon before as the Special Premedical Class students three years before. We walked from the bus stop at Hle Dan, Kamayut, along the Chancellor Road to the Convocation Hall where the Rector Office was. We later found that there was another bus stop near Inya Lake close to the Convocation Hall. We were rather anxious to miss it.

(Thit-Poke-Pin In front of Administration Building and Faculty of Science,

Chancellor Road, University of Rangoon)

Rector Dr Htin Aung was abroad and U Pho Tha, Professor of Chemistry, was Acting Rector. We did not see him at the Rector’s Office and we went to his Chemistry Department. We met him without any difficulty.

He smiled and asked us,” Any problem?” I replied,” No problem, Sir; We came here just for your clarification. We’re the Branch Medical Faculty students coming to Rangoon to put up admission forms at Rangoon Medical College. Dean Sayagyi U Maung Gale asked us to seek your opinion for our admission, Sayagyi.” “Oh, that’s no problem. He is the Dean and he can admit all of you. Why did he give trouble to you? Go back and tell him he can admit all of you. I’ll also tell him by phone too.” So saying, he tried to call.”

(Inya Lake on the Back of Convocation Hall, Rangoon University)

We were very happy and said to him, “Thank you very much, Sayagyi.” Then, we went back to Lanmadaw with euphoria and reported to the Dean Sayagyi U Maung Gale. He was smiling when he saw us coming and told us that he would accept all the BMF students in Rangoon. I think U Pho Tha had given him green light. Rangoon University at the time was an autonomous body and no one could interfere with her. On hearing this some students who were staying behind in Mandalay to wait for the situation came down to Rangoon at once to join the Rangoon Medical College and only a few students in clinical years were left behind in Mandalay like John Noi, Maung Kaung, Ma San Yi etc. They graduated MBBS (Mandalay).

Hostel Problem

After getting the class admission at Rangoon Medical College we’re faced with the problem of hostel. The Lanmadaw Hostel for medical students was full. “No more accommodation there”, U San Tin told us. “You may try outside accommodation like others,” he advised us. We therefore went to the 19^th Street and Latter Street to look for private accommodation, but none was available. There was a Latha Street Medical Students’ Hostel that was soon to be demolished. So, we went to Hledan, Kamayut. We found a two-storied semi-brick house for about Kyats 600 (About US $ 100) per month for rent. It could accommodate 6 persons, but we had to arrange our selves, food, laundry, electricity and transport etc. We would not be able to read if we had to do all this.

All of us agreed to go back to the Dean for any available accommodation. We saw Sayagyi U Ko Gyi. He was the Chief Warden and Assistant to the Dean for Hostel Affairs. He was very sympathetic to us. He told us, “Yes, I have sympathy for all of you. I’ll ask the Dean not to relinquish the Latha Hostel this year to accommodate the students. I’ll advise the girl students to live in the main halls at Rangoon University for the time being. When the September Batch for Final part II students finish their exam, they may come back to Simpson Road Hostel.” Thus we all were accommodated at the run-down Latha Street Hostel.

So, Sayagyi U Ko Gyi arranged for us to live in the Latha Hostel (Latha means Latter Street.)and he provided cooks, cleaners and watch men etc. Water and electricity were also restored fully. He asked us to form a Social and Reading Club to run the meals, newspapers, sports etc. There were about 150 students. We Mandalay people accounted for about 80.The rest were equally divided between the Tat-U (Students United Front, SUF) and Clean or Unattached Students (Thee Thant) and Democrat Student Organisation (DSO) that we regarded as pro-government.

The Tat-U students came to me and asked for an alliance to take the S and R. We discussed between ourselves first and agreed to cooperate with them if they agreed that we Mandalay group would take president and general secretary posts. They agreed.

I was elected the general secretary and Aung Than from Final part II was elected president at the Latha Street Hostel students mass meeting defeating the DSO and other students. My joint general secretary was Myint Htoo one 2^nd MB student from Natmauk. He was simple, hardworking and honest. He did whatever I asked him to do, but he went underground later and he died in a fighting with the Burma Army.

Win Hlaing joined us after about two weeks as he had to settle the S and R account in Mandalay as the new general secretary from which post I had already resigned before transferring to Rangoon at the last Executive Committee Meeting. My reason was sound as I was going to Rangoon to join the Burma Army Medical Corps as a cadet officer. I chose this course to ensure further study for me and to ease my parents of economic burden to support three college students at the same time. State Scholarship to study abroad was highly competitive.

My class mate and friend Muriel Yi Yi Myint also joined the army like me. Many of my friends later joined it as they thought that I would not join it if there were no advantages. We had about 15 to 20 medical cadet officers then. I remember the following medical cadets:

1. Maung Maung Khin MBBS (Managing Director of Trade Corporation No. 10)
2. Khalid Maung Maung MBBS (Brother of Minister U Raschid, Colonel, Retired)
3. Kyaw Soe MBBS ( Aviation Medicine Expert, Colonel, Retired)
4. Than Zin MBBS, M.Med.Sc.(Orthopaedics) (Deputy Minister for Health, Colonel, Retired)
5. Myo Myint MBBS, DA (Anaesthetics, Major, Retired, now Abroad)
6. Tun Nyo MBBS, DLO (London) ( Major, Retired, Malaysia)
7. Hla Maung MBBS, FRCS (Son of Minister U Kar, Major retired, now in Canada)
8. Mya Oo MBBS, FRCP (Colonel, Retired, Deputy Minister for Health, Current)
9. Ohn Kyaw MBBS, FRCPsych (Colonel, Retired, Now in Australia)
10. Aye Pe MBBS (Oncologist, Colonel, Retired)
11. Muriel Yi Yi Myint MD, Board Certified Psychiatrist (USA)
12. Khin Maung Thwin MBBS, FACS (Surgeon, Colonel, Retired)
13. Tun Hlaing MBBS, M.Med, Sc .(Internal Medicine) (Colonel, Retired)
14. Aung Nyein MBBS, M.Med. Sc.( Internal Medicine, Colonel, Retired)
15. Soe Tint MBBS (Major, Retired)
16. Hla Kyaw Mya (Captain, Retired)
17. Tun Naing (Major, Retired)
18. Maung Mang Nyo Ph.D. (Major, Retired; Professor, Retired; Malaysia)

(Rangoon General Hospital, RGH, Rangoon)

Final Part I Year

We had a hectic teaching schedule. We had to attend the post-mortem classes from 7.00 AM to 8.AM at the mortuary, Rangoon General Hospital every day for pathology and forensic medicine. Pathology took 4 days per week. Professor Dr Khin Maung Win took the Pathology Postmortem and he was a superb teacher. He correlated pathology with clinical medicine. It was very interesting and stimulating. Dr Maung Maung Taik took forensic postmortem and his classes were sweet and brief.

Professor Khin Maung Win called Thein Htut in the class often and said his father Colonel Min Sein was U Khin Maung Win’s teacher. But, one small Choudhury answered most of the questions in the class correctly. There were two Choudhurys in our class. Both left Burma after graduation.

Hospital posting was from 8.00 A.M. to 11.00 A.M. We were posted to specialties like TB, Leprosy, ENT, Eye Diseases, Anaesthesiology, Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery. We attended the surgical or medical clinics from 11 A.M. to 12 noon with the Final Pat II students. Krisna Brajwaja was the star of the Final Part II class.

In the evening from 1 P.M. onwards we attended the lectures of pathology, public health and forensic medicine. It went up to 4 P.M. Then a group of students about 10 or 12 had night duty for obstetric child delivery at the Dufferin Hospital, now Central Women Hospital for two months. I had to do it in January and February near my final examination. It was OK. I was a regular student belonging to the top 10 %.

To boast a little bit, I was well known at the Final Part I Year. Every body knew me, beginning with Sayagyi U Ko Gyi (Eye). He praised my knowledge and audacity to answer any question, right or wrong, in the class and for my involvement with student activities. He knew I was General Secretary of the S and R Club of the Latha Hostel taking care of the meals. We arranged to have monthly special dinner besides the daily meals being acceptable. I also published the Mandalay BMF Magazine that year from Rangoon.

We gave a grand annual dinner to students at the end of the year at the Lanmadaw Medical College Compound. All the wardens were invited, but only U Ko Gyi and Dr Hla Toe came. Dr Maung Maung Aye did not come. He was preparing to go for FRCS. All consultants failed to appear as it was the time for their private practice. I remember Dean U Maung Gale was present.

The Public Health study trip to Gyobyu Water Reservoir, Hlawga Tanks and Cinemas and market in Rangoon was exciting. We learned public health problems at first hand. Then, I was posted to the Base Military Hospital in Maymyo (Now, Pyin-Oo-Lwin) for training as a medical cadet during the summer holidays. I learned a lot doing minor surgery and orthopaedics.

My Final Part II Year

I had read most of the clinical medicine and surgery before the classes began and I was to pursue the truly final year. The pattern of teaching and learning was the same as in the final Part I year. We attended the post-mortem pathology classes every day from 7 A.M. to 8.A.M. The forensic medicine post-mortem had had been finished. But, Pathology Department instructed each student to write 20 postmortem reports and it was taxing.

We went to the medical or surgical ward from 9 AM to 11 AM and the Professor or his assistant used to take us to the OPD for fresh cases. We were posted to Sayagyi PR Mohan’s ward and his assistant Dr Daw Hnin Yee took us to the medical OPD every day. They were not yet married and both were sweet to us as students coming from Anyar (Mandalay).

We spent 3 months in the medical ward. We trained in surgery for another 3 months and we spent it in Ward 7 and 8 of RGH under Sayagyi U Khin Maung Latt. He was very patient, methodical and he allowed us to see each and every case in details even at the operating theatre. Dr Shein Win was his assistant who studied for himself and did not care for the students. He was preparing for further study abroad and later went to USA. We found him retired from surgery when we called him in 1975. His wife was a class mate of Dr Kyaw Win.

We studied gynaecology for two months at the Dufferin Hospital before we sat for the final examination in March. We only had three papers: Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Paediatrics was part of Medicine and there was only one compulsory question on it. We finished two months paediatrics posting during the Final Part I Year. We trained under Dr Barua who stood first at the final examination of his Final Part II MBBS class. He did not get the MRCP (Paediatrics) as he had a dispute with the examiners about the diagnosis of a patient.

He thought it was small pox in the prodromal stage that the examiners disproved. Later his diagnosis was found correct and he was offered another chance. But he declined saying,” Barua never sat an examination twice!”

I was not as proud as he was and probably not as bright as him, but I nearly failed in surgery. The true story is as follows.

I did very well in all theory papers and I was sure I would pass all three subjects and qualify for MBBS degree. On the day of surgical clinic I got a peptic ulcer case and I did a very good write-up. But the examiners passed me every time they were to ask for case presentation and we had about 10 students and I had to wait last for my turn. Sayagyi U Kyaw Maung told me, “You wait to the last as you scored highest marks in surgery paper” as a good news to allay my anxiety.

However, I was beginning to suffer from hypoglycaemia as I did not eat anything in the morning except a cup of coffee. Now time wore on past noon and I became more and more hungry. I felt giddy too. I was totally incoherent when U Kyaw Maung and Mr Peter Randell came to ask me as examiners in clinical surgery. I did not remember what I answered, but U Kyaw Maung said” Maung Nyo, you are not what we have expected from theory.” I was dismayed by his comment and only Professor Kyi Paw saved me in the viva voce (Oral).

Mya Oo and I were sleeping on our beds when our results were considered in the Board Room at Lanmadaw Office and we were anxious about our chances. But, Hla Oo came in to our room shouting, “Ko Nyo and Mya Oo, both of you qualified. “ Hla Oo, Mya Oo and I shared a room at the Extension all of the Lanmadaw Student Hostel in my Final Part II Year. We were so happy to hear that we gave a dinner that night and a dozen bottles of Rum were handed out to our friends during our convocation night in December 1961.

My Student and Political Activities

I was very much involved with student activities from 1958 to 1961. The care taker military government ruled the country from 1958 to 1960 with the approval of the Parliament. U Nu's Clean Faction of the AFPFL won the parliamentary votes to maintain the government but the Stable Faction of the AFPFL popularly known as Swe-Nyein group disrupted its administration very much thus resulting in the first transfer of political power to General Ne Win and the Burma Army. We were told in the Army how they sabotaged the U Nu's Government. It was real politics at its worst. We were all for U Nu's faction and NUF.

(Kyemon U Thaung; He published My Articles in His Daily)

I attended the mass meetings of the political rallies held at Rangoon University and other places in Rangoon. We supported Bo Kyaw Zaw for parliamentary Election in 1960. but he did not win. I had already attended his talks given at the Students Union Building in the Rangoon University campus in 1955/56 and read a lot about him. We students liked and supported him.

(Rangoon University Student Union Building Was

Still Extant During Our Times.)

I also attended the All Burma Students Seminar held at the Rangoon University in 1958. U Nu's Government funded the conference. It was a week long seminar and we asked for peace in the country and supported for the student causes. I met Thakhin Tin at the Mandalay University as he was meeting the student leaders in his capacity as the Deputy Premier of U Nu's Clean AFPFL Government. I was then General Secretary of the S and R Club in Mandalay Medical Hostel and Chairman of the Annual BMF Magazine Committee. I was a free lance writer in the Kyemon (Mirror) daily.

(Bo Kyaw Zaw'as 89th Birthday; We supported him in the 1950)

Then , I was the General Secretary of the Latha Street Hostel from 1959 to 1960. I was involved with the Annual Magazine of the Rangoon Medical College and wrote a short story in its issue of 1960/61. I used a pseudonym. I became more friendly with the Ta-U students and they asked me to be their president at Rangoon Medical College that I had to decline, but our common activities continued.

Epilogue

Final Part I and Part II Years during our times took one year each. It was a hectic schedule for students. There was a saying that 2^nd MBBS examination and the Final Part II examination were toughest during the medical curriculum and if you passed them you are a doctor. It may be true, but I think that may be due to heavy work loads and big books we had to read during those times. Maybe the absence of application of medical education science in those days made the study and examination so difficult and unpredictable. I for one enjoyed all the years in my medical school and I would repeat them again if the need be.

(Logo of University of Rangoon, My Alma Mata)

Much water has flowed under the bridge and we now have better teachers in Medicine in Burma.

Some of the students who have graduated MBBS (Rangoon University) with me in 1961 March are as follows:

1. Thein Htut FRCP (Now Australia)
2. Min Aung FRCS, M.Ch. (Orthopaedics) ( Now USA)
3. Than Aung FRCS (General Surgeon) ( Burma)
4. Than Aung FRCS (Ophthalmology) (WHO)
5. Myo Min Aung FRCP (Paediatrics) (Now UK)
6. Ma Win May FRCOG (Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Retired)
7. Sheila San San Myint FFARCS (Retired, Burma)
8. Mya Oo FRCP (Current Deputy Minister for Health, Burma)
9. Muriel Yi Yi Myint MD (Psychiatrist) (USA)
10. Aye Ngwe FRCS (ENT) (UK)
11. Tin Win M.Med.Sc. (Professor of Surgery, Retired) ( Burma)
12. Bernard Tin Myint MRCP (Paediatrics) (USA)
13. Taw Kyin Lyan FRCS (Hong Kong)
14. Tham Kyi Toe (MRCPath) (Hong Kong)
15. Khin Mya Thwin MCHSH ( Burma)
16. Ma Than Yin DPM (Psychiatrist) (Burma)
17. Myint Myint May M.Med Sc. (Psychiatrist) (Burma)
    
18. Myint Myint Mu FRCS ( Anatomist and Surgeon) (Malaysia)
19. Khin Myo Win DA (Anaesthetist) (Burma)
20. Saw Ba Tun Kyi MD (Orthopaedic Surgeon) (USA)
21. Kyi Pe Law M.Med.Sc. (Orthopaedics)
22. Tin Myo Than MD ( Pshchiatrist) (Deceased, USA)
23. Khin Mya Than MD, D.Bact. (Deceased, USA)
24. Ma Tin Aye MD D.Bact. (Deceased, USA)
    
25. Maung Maung Nyo Ph.D. (London), M.A. (Med. Edu.,MSU), FOMERAD
    

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

29.01.2009

Peaceful Prosperous Poetic Penang

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

Penang never sounds strange to me

It’s a familiar name close to my family

We eat Penang fish paste frequently

Taste Pulaw Penang Tubers occasionally

Penang Laksa and Kway Teow some days

Batik Longyis and shirts complete the array.

(Penang Between the Blue Sky Above and Blue Sea Below)

I was therefore delighted to visit the island

It is known in Malay as the Pulaw Pinang

Meaning the “Island of Betel Nuts” so bland

British called it the “Prince of Wales Island”

We have a similar island, “Bilu Kyun” in Monland

At the mouth of Salween River in Martaban

It produces betel nuts and smoking pipes by hand

But conditions are different in the two islands.

(Map of Penang Island and Mainland Malaysia)

We went to Penang one December morning

By boarding a 747 Boeing jet from Kuching

It’s still dark and the sun had not yet beaming

All the roads to the airport were lighted gleam

Kuching City was indeed modern, fresh and clean

It’s different from Burma we had seen.

(Penang Bridge Seen From the Shore)

Our daughters were delighted with the flight

The Captain of the aircraft was skilled and polite

The plane was flying smooth and good for sight

Stewardesses were serving sweets, snacks and Sprite

They were smart, smiling, sweet and swiveling

It’s a pleasure on board such a plane for traveling.

(Entrance to Burmese Buddhist Temple on Burma Road, Penang)

We changed the plane at Kuala Lumpur

We from Kuhing, all of us must do as a rule

To go to any destination with no direct route

Never mind after an hour we’re through

It’s still Boeing 747 and all the fittings were new

We almost sang when we saw environs of Penang blue.

(Cityscape of George Town, Penang)

Yes, the sky above Penang was clear, cloudless and blue

The sea around Penang too was silent, serene and so true

Only the Penang City was gleaming with new buildings

The sun above was so bright, brilliant white and beaming

I thought it was a fairy tale town hung in the dream

We’re happy to be in this land for enjoying.

(Captain Francis Light, Discoverer of Penang for the British)

A reception guide took us to the hotel

By driving a brand new bright vehicle

We’re all the only travelers to get settled

We’ve arranged this before we traveled

We’re glad to have the transport and guide special

Like resting, bathing, eating, shopping and personals.

We’re taken to an evening drive to the sea side

The sun was setting and the air was cool and refreshing

Ships and steamers were shoving slowly in the twilight

Every body was moving fast and vendors were vending

We’re going to eat the local food and fruits tonight

Our guide ordered eleven types of noodles for sampling.

(Cititel, George Town, Penang)

I tasted every noodle and I like the Penang Laksa

It was fresh noodle in soup that is spicy, sweet and sour

I said I like it as it’s similar to Burmese Coconut Khauk-Swe

My wife liked Fried Kway Teow similar to fried rice Khauk-Swe

Our daughters ate two plates each of Kolo Mee voraciously

I ate one so delicious as the Si-Chek Khauk-Swe in our country.

(Penang Laksa or Kaw-Ye KhaukSwe as Good As Sarawak's)

We then walked along the enchanting embankment

Guide took and showed us various restaurants

Full of foods, fruits, fun, fashion fairs and people

They were similar to food sellers every where do

Shouting for customers and ferrying food fast

I like the sounds and sights of Penang very much.

(Penang Trishaws)

We then sighted a trishaw or 3-wheels sidecar

Passengers sit in the front seat separate from driver

There’s a roof overhead of the passengers and peddler

It’s different from the side cars of India and Burma

Where the driver rides by the side of the passengers

Here you ride in front and it’s riding for pleasure.

(Komtar Tower and George Town by Night)

We then climbed the Komtar Tower by lift

It’s steep and squeaking but it’s swift

There’s a revolving restaurant high above

We entered and enjoyed the sights very much

It’s right in the centre of colonial George Town

The British Colonial town still serves the throng.

(Penang Thai Buddhist Temple)

Penang was backward once like Singapore and Hong Kong

Captain Francic Light grabbed it for the British and transformed

It to be a trading colonial town with easy residential facilities

It became a thriving trading South East Asia metropolitan city

Haven for the British traders supported by the Chinese Coolies

It became a boon town for the Chinese Malay Nyonya colony.

(Nyonya Beauties with Their Kebaya Dress)

I like the Nyonya for their menu, industry and ethnicity

They transformed Penang from a backward to booming city

Chinese Joss Houses, dwelling houses and hotels prospered

Pagodas, prayer places, monasteries and museums appeared

Gardens, parks, pleasure places and working people proliferated

Penang thus becomes a great place for computer and IT market.

(Burmese Buddhist Snake Temple)

We had also visited the Burmese monastery

We drove direct along Burma Road for memory

It’s a sentimental and sensational sojourn surely

We paid homage to Burmese Buddhist monks humbly

They greeted us in Burmese and we spoke sincerely

They said many Burmans are coming out of the country.

(Chinese Temple for Kwan-Yin Goddess of Mercy)

It was bright day light when we woke up

We showered, we dressed and had breakfast

We then walked to the beach for swimming

We saw many people in blue water frolicking

My daughters and I joined the group in splashing

It’s cool in clear water despite the warm surrounding.

A tourist company offered us to Butterworth and beyond

Its guide said he would take us to the butter flies pond

Where ten thousand butterflies danced and dallied abound

I said I have seen one in Kunming with Kuo-Mo Jo’s song

Written in Chinese poetry praising the butterflies found

But it was never ten thousand and its’ just Chinese jargon.

(Kek Lock Si Temple Where Buddha, Kwan-Yin and Other Statues

are housed)

Instead we went to the Chinese Pagoda

It lies on the highest plateau of the area

We paid homage to the statue of Buddha

Not withstanding the big Kwan Yin Bodhisatta

That the Chinese kowtowed with precious Puja

This Kek Lock Si Temple is a must for every traveler.

(Penang Funicular Train Passing the Viaduct Bridge to the Hill Top)

We climbed the Penang Hill by train

It’s the highest point they claimed

It’s just five hundred meter plain

But it was fun riding the small train

(Train Going Up the Hill Top by Pull of the Levers)

I felt young as I remembered the Blue Bell Train

I rode it when I was in England for PG gain.

(The Penang Suspension Bridge, Longest in Asia)

We also visited and viewed the Butterworth Bridge

It’s the longest suspension bridge in the East and big

It’s shining and shimmering in the sun posing scenic

Myriads of motor vesicles passed across it every minute

It’s an achievement of Penang and Malaysia to take credit

They were trying to build another one for all to visit.

(Modern George Town With Chinese Houses Lining the Street)

Penang is a Chinese majority state in Malaysia

But it’s multi-racial and all races are assured

Of their ethnicity, customs, religion and culture

We saw Chinese, Malays, Indians, Eurasian and Nyonya

Moving and mixing about in harmony and happiness

Pagodas, mosques and churches attest to their success.

(Penang Curry Mee Similar to Burmese Coconut Khauk Swe)

Penang was a Crown Colony under the British

It was just a trading post and not stylish

Now that it’s independent and industrialist

Malaysian people could take due credit

For its development, prosperity and opportunity

It’s a shining example of labor of love and industry

What a sovereign country can accomplish for its people

Penang is the “Pearl of the East” for every body to value.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

28.01.2009 (original)