Urgent Appeal to Healthcare Professionals of Myanmar
September 23, 2007
At this time in Myanmar, the venerable Sanghas are protesting against the SPDC, expressing the will of the 50 million people who have languished under the yoke of oppression for many years. We have learned that the military regime have been preparing to violently suppress the protests by unleashing thugs wielding bamboo sticks backed up by battalions of armed soldiers on the innocent and unarmed people. It is widely known that hospitals have been alerted to prepare for the casualties.
As healthcare professionals, physicians, nurses, health assistants and even medical students have always been viewed with respect and trust by the Sanghas and people of Myanmar. Therefore as health professionals, should we not use our positions of trust to prevent and intervene in the violent suppression of protesting monks and people? Are we to wait and do nothing until the dead and wounded are brought to our hospitals and clinics? Should we not by every means possible take appropriate actions to protect and care for the protesters by accompanying them on their protest marches?
The answer is a resounding YES!
YES, WE SHOULD.
The Red Cross is a noble organization that emerged from violent conflicts of the past. Members of the Red Cross are young men and women who have pledged to care for the sick and wounded without discrimination or bias. It is a sad fact that in Myanmar, those who are in power have ignobly transformed some of the Red Cross members into enemies of the people as Swan Arshins. We, therefore call upon all members of the Myanmar Red Cross to help the Sanghas and the people by taking care of their health and to provide assistance in any way they can. At the very least, we caution all members of the Myanmar Red Cross to refrain from taking part in any act of suppression or violence against the protesting Sanghas and people. If you cannot assist, at least do no harm.
The Concerned Myanmar Physicians and Professionals Group call upon: Myanmar Medical Association, Myanmar Nurses Association, Myanmar Health Assistant Association, Myanmar Red Cross, Proprietors of private clinics, Practitioners of Indigenous Medicine, student bodies of Universities of Medicine (1), (2), Mandalay, Magwe and Defense Services Institute of Medicine and Nursing, student bodies of various Universities of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, and all health professionals to:
- refrain from taking part in any act of violent suppression against the protesting Sanghas and citizen people;
- pledge to the public as members of each health profession to carry out their professional duties in the interest of public health without any discrimination or bias;
- accompany the protesting marches by wearing identifiable badges or arm bands as health providers who can assist them with their medical and healthcare needs and apprising the leaders of protest marches as health professionals who can provide help when needed;
- collect and donate first aid kits and materials to protesting Sanghas and citizens;
- make visitations to monasteries and provide more-than-usual care and assistance;
- actively assist Sangha and citizen protesters by intervening in potential scenarios of misunderstanding and altercations within and among protest marchers;
- make preparations to take care of potential casualties in all (public and private)medical facilities without discrimination and be prepared to confront on behalf of patients should security and intelligence personnel attempt to interfere with care-giving; and,
- assiduously preserve evidentiary materials and wounds in accordance with medico-legal principles and procedure in case of casualties and death with a view to future legal actions and procedures.
Concerned Myanmar Physicians and Professionals
Contact Persons
Dr. Ko K Lay
GP Principal
Woodroyd Centre
Woodroyd Road, Bradford
West Yorkshire, WF17 9QF
UK
drkokolay@yahoo.co.ukDr. Huat Z.Mang
Family Practice Physician
South Texas Medical Clinic PA
2100 Regional Medical Dr
Wharton, TX 77488
Ph: (979) 532 1700 (O)
huatmang@sbcglobal.netDr. Zaw Myint
Attending Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Northwestern Human Services
11082 Knights Road
Philadelphia PA 19154
Ph: (215) 632 9040 (ext.652)
zmyint51@hotmail.comDr. Aye Min
Diagnostic
Radiologist
Mary Washington Hospital
Fredericksburg, VA
Ph: (804) 512 4669
radiomin@gmail.comDr. Tun Kyaw Nyein
Dean of University College
North Carolina Central University
Durham, North Carolina
Ph: (919) 530 5015
tnyein@nccu.eduDr.Oo
Attending Physician
