The Pioneers of Medicine in Burma #3
Dr U Tha Saing (Leprosy Specialist)
(by dr thane oke kyaw-myint)
In
our Final Part 1, we had to go to the Skin and VD Clinic in Old RGH.
Part of the teaching was done on the Leprosy Clinic headed by Saya U
Tha Saing. Recently, I watched the movie about Mother Theresa, and
while watching the movie, my mind was going back to my memories of
Burma's first leprologist.
Unlike
writing about other teachers, there is very little I know of the
personal life of Dr. Tha Saing except for his very brilliant son, Dr.
Pe Khin.
Yet, at the Leprosy Clinic, while most of the people
would shirk from coming near, let alone touch and treat them, Saya
would be in the midst of a number of patients with severe forms of
leprosy. Many with the nose, the ears, the fingers rotting away. Saya
would be seen gently removing the homemade bandages of the stumps of
the hands and feet of the lepers, and advising his nurses on how to
clean and dress them. Yet, Sayagyi could be very tough on anyone who
would not extend respect and kindness to leprosy patients. Many a Part
1 student was asked to leave because the student either by facial
expression or body language committed these "crimes" (in Saya's eyes).
Saya
was the first Burmese doctor to get the Diploma in Venereal Diseases
and Leprology from India, and also the first to be trained by the
famous surgeon, Dr. Paul Brand, who became world famous for his
surgical techniques for deformed hands and feet of patients with
Leprosy. Dr. Brand's center was in Christian Medical College Hospital
in Vellore. Dr. Paul Brand also trained Saya's son, Dr. Pe Khin. Saya U
Pe Khin became a very excellent hand surgeon and did a lot of good work
in hand surgery, doing these very delicate operations in a converted
room in an old wooden building across the road from RGH, using this
room as his operations theater.
Sayagyi U Tha Saing was also the
Burmese doctor to be recruited by WHO as a consultant to provide
technical advice to other Asian countries in setting up good programs
for leprosy.
Saya
had inspired many doctors to remain in the Leprosy Program as equally
dedicated doctors: Dr Tin Myint, Dr. Tin Shwe @ Dr. Rajan (Moulmein),
Dr. Mya Thein (Leprosy Mya Thein), Dr. Kyaw Tin (husband of Prof. Mala
Maung, and Dr. Myo Thet Htoon in WHO who is now considered as one of
the world's leading leprologists.
How does one inspire people to stay and love a program like Leprosy Control? I can only say, by setting a good example.