Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
Bangkok, 28th November 2002

The three-day training under the title "Counseling Training" held with the joint cooperation of Burma Medical Association (BMA) and the Denmark based RCT in liberated Thai-Burma area ended on 27th Nov.2002.

The training was held from 25 - 27th November, 2002 with aims of providing psychological encouragement and helping those mentally affected Burmese peoples inside Burma and who are in the border area.

An organizer of training, Ko Win Naing Oo, talked to Mizzima in connection with the training's objective; "Today, Burmese people are experiencing mental diseases due to the constant events and problems of which they are not aware of. Out of that, what is trauma? How to help those patients suffering from trauma? What is counseling?  What condition is needed for those physicians who would give treatment to certain diseases? We mainly educated them about these fields during our three-day training".

Ms. Anne and Ms. Lone from RCT served as resource persons for the training. The 23 trainees in the program are from the tent organizations of Burma such as Mon, Shan, Karen, Palaung, Lahu and All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF).

According to the representative from the Burmese Medical Association (BMA), Ko Win Naing Oo, mental problems are being experienced by many Burmese refugees, especially those exiled laborers who have arrived in the border area.  At the same time, he went on to explain that the people inside Burma are also suffering from trauma related mental illness due to the brutal torture committed against them by the military junta and by the appalling economic conditions.

"For example, the suffering of a mother in regards of her imprisoned son and husband is something that no one could fully understand. However, her pain and suffering over the incident is certain. There are many Burmese people experiencing the same problems today in Burma. To counsel and attend closely to those patients is the critical need of our country. Unless we can provide this treatment, their condition will most likely deteriorate further" explained Ko Win Naing Oo.

According to the senior doctor in Mawlamyien town in Burma, who would like to remain anonymous, the current conditions inside Burma have resulted in civilians, government employees, police staffs and even military housewives being faced with the difficulties of mental illness.

The Burmese Medical Association was formed with the initiative taken by exiled Burmese physicians and medical employees in 1991. The present chairperson of the BMA is Dr. Cynthia Maung. Dr Maung currently operates a private clinic in Mae Sot.

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