Medical Education in Burma
Dr Maung Maung Nyo
When I look back to my past
I have been in medical world fast
From 1956 to 1998 for 42 years as such
First when I started at 2nd MBBS class
At
Opened as part of the
With all Anyathian and Shan in a calamity
We were herded together in a new make-shift facility.
(University of Medicine Mandalay in Mandalay City, Burma)
We studied in a make-shift building
Built for a high school in two-storey fashion
Two E shaped buildings joined to form an eight
A dormitory dungeon depressing and desolate
We were boarded in the upstairs as hostelers
Male students in three quarters, the lion share
Ladies and teachers occupied the last quarter.
(Dr Ba Than M.B. (Calcutta), FRCS (Edin), Professor
Dean and Rector)
Learning laboriously at lectures and laboratories
In hot dry atmosphere of the melting point faculty
I marvel at the stamina and success of the students
Also I gave tribute to teachers, lab staff and assistants
Who would teach with meager pay to be so efficient?
If not for the sake of love of knowledge and country
I always admire my old teachers at the Branch Medical Faculty!
(Branch Medical Faculty, BMF, in Mandalay from 1955 to 1980s)
From that ragtag students and teachers
We have evolved into a grand picture
The Branch Medical Faculty becomes a university
After passing through the stages of full medical faculty
Of the newly emerged magnificent
And then Institute of Medicine as an autonomous entity
Congratulations to all those concerned for giving its glory
Many old students become professors and ministers in history.
(University of Medicine 1 in Lanmadaw Township, Rangoon)
I for one had moved to
To strive for further education in
I was successful so to say as I can now celebrate
As a qualified doctor, army major and professor to date
I have worked diligently with devotion for
I treat, I teach, I write and I strive for Burmese citizens’ fate
I have been in the centre of
I can now contemplate and communicate with erudition.
(The Old Convocation Hall of the Old University of Rangoon)
After the First University Strike had its role and echo
To the effect that rich and poor could enlist in the university
Even then only a few Burmese could join the medical faculty
It’s recorded only 11 out of 40 medical students were Burmese
The rest were British, Anglos of mixed races, Indians and Chinese
This first batch graduated in 1929 all in time
Many of them became heads and directors in grand design
(Rangoon General Hospital or RGH)
The medical curriculum at first was copied from
As most of the teachers were trained there working in
They also belonged to the British Army at one time
So they taught effectively and efficiently in British style
This made its degree MBBS recognized in 1937 by the GMC
Professor U E qualifying in 1936 had to sit for LRCP MRCS
Dr U Ko Gyi, DOMS, qualifying in 1937, escaped that stress.
(Professor U E Graduated M.B.,B.S. from Rangoon in 1937)
From that year on many
To work there and to get a fellowship or membership and stayed
Only a few came back to
Never bothering to join the medical college or teaching profession
We had a shortage of qualified teachers and practitioners all along
Burma Government had to institute four-year licensed course aplomb
These LMP contributed to
Only after independence was the LMP medical school abolished completely.
(Royal College of Physicians in London, England)
All the British trained medical officers left
We have only a few senior medical persons who were in attendance
Colonel Min Sein, Dr Yin May and Dr Ba Than were
But they were patriots and did full-time teaching at the medical college
Thus a steady stream of medical education was maintained up to date
The three Greats led the medical world of
We should be grateful to them for their good services for
Considering the odds and upheavals I would say
(Royal College of Surgeons of England, in London)
A gradual input of trained medical teachers was started after the war
New medical graduates were sent abroad as M.Sc. and Ph.D. scholars
Apart from MRCP, FRCS, MRCOG and other medical specialties in tow
Anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology began to slowly grow
Medical education seminars were held to review curriculum since 1970 year
I was fortunate I could take part actively in them since the third seminar
I have learned a lot and I have contributed a lot for medical doctor’s progress
I stipulate that
Despite setbacks and sad scenarios surrounding it at the present time
After all, mistakes and mayhem make a person or organization sublime.
(University of Medicine 2, Rangoon at North Okkalappa)
Like it or not we now have 4 civilian medical schools or universities
Plus an army medical college opened since the late 1990s
It’s a vast improvement compared to time before independence
When one medical college admitting less than 100 with hindrance
It’s now admitting 2000 medical students in the country
Its yearly intake has increased four or five folds in quantity
Every medical educationist knows it affects the quality of its products.
(Logo of University of Medicine 1 Extolling Service, Sympathy and Humanity)
I have participated in more than half of the 6 medical education seminars
Not counting curriculum reviews. several workshops and multipliers
I have introduced the principles of education science in curriculum planning
To consider cost effectiveness and practicality before implementation
Goals, aims, specific objectives be thoroughly discussed before adopting
Not neglecting the training of teachers that will carry out the teaching
To consider medical education sincerely to benefit practitioners and population
The authorities must be sincere and wise in carrying out the new instructions.
(A Magazine Cover Showing Old IM2 and Its Logo)
At the 5th Medical Education Seminar a few zealots promoted PBL
They were doing it as a kind of stunt fashion and carnival
They did not consider about money facilities and training of the personnel
I faulted their PBL based medical curriculum although I agreed in principle
It could not be implemented as there was no money or modern facility
Professor Khin Kyi Kyi told me their curriculum failed because of my enmity
It was nothing personal and I bear no grudge to any body despite their hostility
For me my loyalty goes to my country and people first whatever the categories.
(Dr Nan Ommar in M.B., B.S. (Rangoon) Gown with Dr MMN)
It was the same with opening the courses for Ph.D.
I told them the aim was noble and good entirely
But facilities at the moment are not there for doing Ph.D.
We should still be sending Burmese students abroad for that degree
After training them with what we have for M.Sc.
Ministers for health agreed with me though they did not listen to me!
(Prof. Maung Maung Nyo in Ph.D. (London) Gown and
Dr Nan Ommar in M.Sc. (Rangoon) Gown)
Burmese medical degree is now partially recognized by the GMC
Our medical graduates may go to
We had tried hard to get the full recognition in 1978
But GMC gave partial recognition only starting from that year graduates
It was because GMC had its own agenda regarding foreign trained doctors
As is the case with the American medical educators and administrators
It was also the same with our Health Ministers appointed by the Junta
They have their own thought, own plan and own agenda for
(Rangoon University Boat Club)
As a matter of fact, I was the secretary of IM 2 Committee to show GMC
How the Institute had fared in uplifting the medical education for all to see
GMC delegates would be pleased to recommend our graduates
Fit to work in the
We showed them modern facilities in teaching and research
Our trained teachers teaching students up to date matters as much
They also do public health work and survey including field trips
The GMC was really impressed with our Institute and recommended it.
(The Inya Lake, The Symbol of that Famous Old University of Rangoon)
Once Minister for Health U Saw Tun told us his vision of medical graduates
He would train them just qualified to treat the Burmese in local grade
Not good enough to pass foreign qualification examination for their sake
They would see to it that future Burmese doctors do not emigrate
They would send complicated cases and VIPs to foreign hospital and spas
They should not aim for higher degrees and sophisticated endeavors
What more you can say about our medical graduates at this juncture?
I for one am satisfied that I have always done for my country and people
I have never hesitated to tell the truth and to do the right thing as my due.
Dr Maung Maung Nyo
25.03.2009 (original)
