Myanmar is a country recently attracting lots of attentions. Japanese tourists, as well, have been increasing due to tourist visa waiver taking place last fall.  A series of international exchange events by Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University (OCU) were held this summer in Yangon, a central city of the country.

●International exchange events with the Yangon District by the Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, OCU

Professor Kenji Ohata, Dean of Graduate School of Medicine and Lecturer Tsutomu Ichinose, both from the Department of Neurosurgery, visited Yangon General Hospital (YGH) on 29 July, 2019 as part of their overseas visit. YGH is the largest public hospital in the Yangon District and a teaching hospital in University of Medicine 1, Yangon. The delegation visited a neurosurgical intensive care unit and ward and had a discussion meeting with the medical staff.

Because minibike accidents have frequently occurred in Myanmar, treatments for head injuries by accidents are often undergone at the Department of Neurosurgery. Although the hospital environment and medical facilities are improving, a lot of supports are still in need. There are also many issues concerning nurturing doctors and medical technicians, thus deepening discussion on how support from Japan should be as well as contributions through educational and research exchanges at the university level, is vital. The delegation visited several other medical facilities besides YGH and shared opinions on possible future cooperation. 

●Cooperation between the Urology Department, Graduate School of Medicine, OCU and University of Medical Technology, Yangon

Associate Professor Junji Uchida and Lecturer Toshihide Naganuma of the Urology Department have provided educational support at University of Medical Technology, Yangon as members of “The Project for Human Resource Development of Medical Engineering” launched in 2018 and led by JICA. (https://www.jica.go.jp/project/myanmar/030/news/20180601.html)

On August 5 and 6 this year, the second time of their visit continuing from the last year, they conducted nine lectures on blood purification, renal failure and renal transplantation were conducted as part of the training program for cultivating medical engineers insufficient in Myanmar. The local students had strong command of English and it was quite impressive to see their enthusiastic attitude of learning and eagerly taking notes. By making use of support through such projects, it is expected Myanmar's blood purification therapy and promotion activities of training system for cultivating clinical engineers will surely bear fruit.

During their visit, in addition to the lectures, Associate Professor Uchida and Lecturer Naganuma interviewed Dr. Thaingi Hlaing, President of University of Medical Technology, Yangon and Professor Myo Thuzar Khin, Head of Medical Engineer Course, on further academic cooperation. The next day, on August 6, they visited Yangon Specialty Hospital, a teaching hospital of University of Medicine, Yangon, and exchanged opinions with the professors in charge about future academic exchange.

Besides this matter working together with NGO UBPI (Ubiquitous Blood Purification International), the Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, OCU, has been involved with many international exchanges and contributions by supporting, spreading and educating hemodialysis in Southeast Asia, especially Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Myanmar, a country with over the population of 50 million, which has continued developing, has rapidly promoting exchanges with Japan through JICA. Further academic research cooperation will be expected with the country in the future.