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