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The Myanmar Expedition

Myanmar is a country where less than 1% of GNP is spent on health, and there are few ophthalmologists for the 50 million. people who make up the population. Unfortunately, repeated military coups have shaken the country’s structure and today it is not possible for us to travel there anymore.

We have carried out 3 expeditions to Myanmar, Dawei in the south, Htee Saung near Mandalay and were well on the way to setting up a permanent clinic in Taunggui, with donated surgical equipment, spectacles microscopes and slit lamps etc. But the shutdown of the country and the corona epidemic has turned the hospital into a hospice for terminal Covid patients, so we are unlikely to be able to resume work there.

Myanmar was otherwise a great country to visit and there were many patients in need of cataract operations. The people are very welcoming and nice. In the hospital there were staff who were all dedicated and helpful beyond the ordinary.