The Pioneers of Medicine in Burma #4
Prof U Chan Taik (Opthalmology)
(by dr thane oke kyaw-myint)
Dr.
Chan Taik, MBBS (Cal), DO, DOMS, DPH, DTM&H – was one of the most
senior ophthalmologists. Coming from a well-to-do family from Moulmein,
both Saya and Mrs. Chan Taik were very generous and were involved in
social welfare work in many areas. At a time when preventive and public
health
ophthalmology was not in vogue, Saya took diplomas in public health as well as in tropical medicine.
Saya
(Uncle Chan Taik to my family) had published articles on common eye
diseases and prevention of some of them in the Burma Medical Journal,
the precursor of the Myanmar Medical Journal. He provided free
treatment and free surgery at the Muslim Free Hospital, as well as at
his private clinic cum residence in Windermere Road.
Dr. Chan Taik's own son (Dr. Edmund Chan Taik) became an ophthalmic surgeon currently practicing in USA.
Although
the younger generation may not know Dr. Chan Taik, many would have been
taught by eminent doctors of our generation: Prof. Hla Yee Yee, Dr. Daw
Soe Yee (ENT surgeon) and many others of the Chan Taik family who
continued the good work of this patriarch of the family.