Rangoon University Convocation Hall

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

 

AFTER READING the two articles about "visiting foreign specialists practicing medical treatments in Myanmar", my adrenaline ran high.

Why?

The articles were written by medical doctors and published in Kyay Mone on June 15 and 21. Both articles urged Myanmar Medical Council (MMC) to restrict foreign specialist doctors from giving medical treatments to Myanmar patients during their short visits here.

I am disappointed. One, the articles failed to address the root cause of the problem; Two, they drew an unfair comparison between Myanmar and England, for example. Finally, the mindset of Myanmar doctors hasn't changed.

I'm neither medical doctor nor associated with MCC. I'm just an ordinary patient seeking specialist medical treatment. So my point of view on the issue is entirely from a patient's perspective. I can understand their positions for writing these articles -- to warn the harms of unsolicited medical practices, sovereignty infringement, lost benefits for the country, etc. But I'm saddened when I find there's no place in their heart for the patients.

The articles failed to address the root cause of the problem. The writer doctors completely overlooked the present situation of our country's health sector. They ignored the fact there is a severe shortage of specialist doctors and it's the main reason why patients turn to foreign doctors in search of an alternative.

It's also the main reason why foreign specialists can find their way into our country and give medical treatments to patients with limited registration (conditional medical license) in spite of the fact it doesn't give them the right to practice medicine here. The truth is they are able to do it now because there is a sizable demand for their expertise. The demand comes from us the patients. It's very costly to seek a medical treatment abroad -- everyone knows it. We patients want to go abroad only when necessary services/tests are unavailable locally. In many cases, we have no choice but to go abroad. The high cost can be cut down to one third when patients can see a visiting foreign specialist here. That's why foreign specialists are welcomed here. That's why Myanmar Medical Council turns a blind eye to the situation, in a bid to help patients seek proper specialist treatments and technology without having to burn a hole in their pocket.

The writers drew a comparison between Myanmar and other neighboring countries and as far away as England. It's unfair and unrealistic in any possible way. Actually, they should know better (than patients). Comparing our health standards, rules and regulations with other countries is like blind ponnas examining an elephant in our text books. Once our medical standards reached those of the neighboring countries, requirements for foreign specialists -- as suggested by the writers -- would be automatically in place. Then Myanmar Medical Council and relevant state bodies can raise the bar for foreign specialists who really want to practice medicine here. (They should know what their lecturers do when they get sick seriously.)

Last but not least, I'm very disappointed Myanmar doctors haven't changed their mindset. Mindset for meritocracy, healthy competitiveness, sharing, compassion, humbleness, etc. all lack in their articles. In my own personal experiences, most of Myanmar specialists fail to possess these personalities and triumph over their ego-centric commercial success. As a patient, I'm willing to read what Myanmar specialists are doing to raise the medical standards of our country, how they care about their patients, instead of a mere wake-up call for Myanmar Medical Council to protect their own benefits.

W. Nyan Win

23/6/2016


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