Dr. Mya Tu and his team on a trip to study the Thang tribe

It has been 5 years since the death of Professor Dr. Mya Tu, who founded the Myanmar Medical Research Institute in 1963. Dr. Mya Tu served as Director of the New Delhi office of the World Health Organization and was one of Myanmar's earliest physiologists.

Dr. Mya Tu, born in 1927, is the son of U Ba Tu, who was the personal secretary of the great political leader U Ba Bae, who was involved in the signing of the Aung San Ateli contract. The most well-known among their brothers is Dr. Sein Tu, professor of psychology at Mandalay University.

0 medical student Maung Mya Tu

Maung Mya Tu, who loved reading since childhood and was interested in research, tried to study physiology after graduating from medical school, instead of following the popular hobby of surgeons at that time. In 1956, he received his doctorate from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, with a thesis on the examination of cardiac muscle properties. In 1959, he became a professor of physiology at Yangon Medical College, and in 1964, he became a professor of physiology at the University of Medicine. He is Myanmar's first doctorate in physiology and the first full-time professor in this field.

After he returned to study, in 1957, Dr. Mya Tu worked with civilian and military experts to establish the Myanmar Medical Research Association and established a medical research journal. In 1962, his famous research trip on the Thang tribe in the far north of Burma made people interested in him and his medical research.

Dr. Myint Myint Khin and the modernization of Myanmar food
After the second military coup in 1962, to encourage science and social science, medicine, industry, forest agriculture Vocational schools such as business and education were raised to university level, and a separate department was opened for medical research. This department was headed by Professor Dr. Mya Tu, and Colonel Hlahan himself, who was in charge of health and education in the revolutionary government, encouraged me.

Dr. Mya Tu at the Myanmar Medical Research Congress meeting

Although the tradition of scientific research and raising the standard of living of the people of socialist countries is being worked hard, there is a shortage of academic experts, funding difficulties; Like other academic departments, the Myanmar Medical Research Institute has faced difficulties such as academic freedom. Amidst these difficulties, Dr. Mya Tu led efforts to get support from foreign organizations, including Japan. In establishing the department, Dr. Aung Than Batu, Dr. Mya Tu also received the help of good experts such as Dr. Koko. At that time, the medical research library was at an international level, and Dr. Mya Tu's wife, Daw Khin Thet, was in charge of it herself.

Dr. Mya Tu taking blood samples in Naganal

In 1977, Dr. Mya Tu moved to the World Health Organization and advocated for community-based medical education. After retiring, Dr. Mya Tu worked as a health consultant for more than 10 years. In recognition of his efforts to improve medical education in Southeast Asia, the World Health Organization awarded Dr. Mya Tu an honorary award in 1998.

Dr. Mya Tu did not stay in Burma but settled down in Australia, but he continued to give advice to the medical research center that he fostered. Dozens of research papers he wrote from 1955 to 2001 were cited by researchers from all over the world. cardiac electrophysiology; Sport and fitness physiology; population genetics; Traditional medicinal plants, etc., are his research areas of interest. After her absence, it was not as obvious as before, but the medical research activities started by Dr. Mya Tu remained a pioneer for the new generation of young medical professionals.

Dr. Mya Tu and the medical research team


The BBC contacted Dr. Mya Tu's wife, Dr. Khin Theta, who was a librarian at the International Atomic Energy Agency, about the life journey of Dr. Mya Tu. Dr. Khin Theta, Dr. Mya Tu, Daw Htay Htay Aye, Along with Daw Khin Khin Win, he compiled the book in English.