About me

Name – Dr Ko Ko Gyi. Born in Mandalay, Burma on 5th. April 1950.

Studied in Kingswood High School, Kalaw, Southern Shan State from Kg to 5th. std.

Transferred to St. Peter’s High School, it was later nationalized and changed name as No. 9 State High School, Mandalay.

Passed the Matriculation in 1968 and accepted at the Institute of Medicine Mandalay later in that year.

Got M.B.,B.S. in 1975-76 January. Internship or Horsemanship for one year in the Mandalay General Hospital.

Worked in various places including in the Institute of Medicine Mandalay as a Demonstrator then (but now they called Assistant Lecturer), in Anatomy and later in Surgery Departments. When we work in Surgery Department, we have to work as the same time as an Assistant Surgeon, here they called as a Medical Officer, at the Mandalay General Hospital.

The following paragraph written by the famous Journalist Mirror U Thaung explained my sentiments.

မင္းဆိုးမင္းညစ္ေအာက္တြင္ ငါမေနၿပီ

Although I never dare to say a word before I came out, most the people who knows me understand that I came out because of the Ne Win Government’s Racial and religious discrimination.

ဦးကုလားရာဇ၀င္တြင္ ပုဂံေခတ္က ေနာင္ေတာ္ကို လုပ္ႀကံကာ နန္းတက္သူ ကုလားက်မင္းအား ပံ့တကူမေထရ္ႀကီးက

“ဟယ္ – မင္းဆိုးမင္းညစ္၊

• နင္ကား သံသရာ၀ယ္ ခံရအံ့ေသာ မေကာင္းမႈကို မေၾကာက္၊
• ဤစည္းစိမ္ကို ရလွ်င္ နင္၏ ကိုယ္ခႏၶာသည္ မအိုမေသၿပီမွတ္သည္ေလာ။
• ေလာကတြင္ နင့္ထက္ ပ်က္ေသာ မင္းမရွိ၊
• မင္းဆိုးမင္းညစ္ေအာက္တြင္ ငါမေနၿပီ”

ဟု လက္ညႇိဳးေငါက္ေငါက္ထိုးကာ သီဟိုဠ္ျပည္သို႔ ထြက္သြားေၾကာင္း ဌာန္ကရိုဏ္းက်က် ဖတ္ရႈခဲ့ရသည့္ အရသာမွာ ႀကီးမားလွပါ၏။ ။

Source: (၅၆) ထြက္ေတာ္မူ နန္းကခြာတယ္ (ေၾကးမံုဦးေသာင္း)

Migrated to Malaysia in 1987 as a Medical Officer in PERKIM, Muslim welfare organization. Later passed the MRCOG Part 1 exam held in Singapore conducted by UK Royal College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

Worked as MO in University Hospital Kuala Lumpur and studied at the same time in University Malaya, got exemption in Part 1 MSc OG. Later joined the private practice in Ng and Lee clinic group under Qualitas Medical group.

This is my interview with a university student about me. I answered his questions:

1. Why did you choose this career?

Because I was ill with frequent cough and cold since I was young because of my sensitive nose and (allergic) bronchitis. Need to see the doctors, Burmese traditional (Aruveda) medicine men and even the German Homeopathetic healers. So I was interested in Medicine.

Man proposes but God/Allah disposes @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/man-proposes-but-godallah-disposes/

 

2. Why did you choose this specialty?

I want to be a Surgeon, worked as a Demonstrator cum Assist Surgeon in Anatomy Department and Surgery Department at Mandalay General Hospital under Institute of Medicine Mandalay. Although I got qualified marks (best in my class in every subject) and passed the written examination, I was denied admission at the interviews. So I resigned and came out of Burma.

 

In Malaysia, need to struggle for survival of the family, could not finish preparation for FRCS exam so set the MRCOG Part 1 from UK in Singapore and passed. But could not get the further training to be able to sit the part 2 exam. Much later only got the training in UM as a Master Student in Obstetrics and Gynae, passed part 1 but after getting Permanent Residence in Malaysia, need to resign for the sake of children’s university fees.

Reference: “Never failed but instead of becoming a Surgeon or Obstetrician/Gynaecologist just become a General Practitioner” @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/never-failed-although-instead-of-becoming-a-surgeon-or-obstetriciangynaecologist-just-become-a-general-practitioner/

 

3. Your professional experience?

I got the degree in December 1975. Worked for 10 yrs in Burma teaching Medical Students and at the same time working in Hospital. In the evening doing General Practice at Private Clinic. In Malaysia, first worked in PERKIM Muslim Welfare Organization as a Medical Doctor, later working and studied at UM/UHKL as a Master Student/MO in Obs. Gynae, Accident Emergency, Surgery and Urology Department. Later GP at Ng and Lee Clinic KL under Qualitas Medical Group.

Flashback: Demonstrator, Assistant Surgeon IMM/MGH @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/flashback-demonstrator-assistant-surgeon-immmgh/

Flashback: Institute of Medicine Mandalay          @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/10/10/institute-of-medicine-mandalay/

 

Flashback: PERKIM and Dato’ Ahmad Noordin @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/10/10/flashback-perkim-and-dato-ahmad-noordin/

Flashback: Medical Officer in UHKL or University Hospital Kuala Lumpur @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/flashback-medical-officer-in-uhkl-or-university-hospital-kuala-lumpur/

 

 

 

4. Your background as a doctor, your education and experience?

I got the highest marks in almost every subject in every year from Kg to all the University years.

I got the award of Outstanding Student given by Education Minister for 5 times. I got 2 scholarships for university studies from Burmese government, one based on my marks in Matriculation one based on 3 successive Outstanding Student Awards. I started working as an Intern Medical Doctor since Jan 1976 so now I have 38 yrs of experience as a doctor, 28 yrs in Malaysia.

Flashback: Primary school report cards @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/flashback-primary-school-report-cards/

Flashback : Awards I got @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/flashback-awards-i-got/

Teaching at Anatomy Department of IMM, now Mandalay Medical University @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/12/19/teaching-at-anatomy-department-of-imm-now-mandalay-medical-university/

 

MRCOG Part 1 UK result @ https://drkokogyi.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/z.jpg?w=848&h=695

5. What unique skills do you possess?

No unique skills as I am not a gifted person but with normal brains only. But I always try hard in studies and at work. I never waste time but learned all the available time, during jogging, eating or in the toilet etc. And I worked for at least 12-15 hour every day, no off day exceot for 2 Hari Raya days in a year. So my unique skill is perseverance only.

6. What were the qualifications you needed to reach this position?

Recognized Medical Degree, Housemanship (Internship) one year and another 4 yrs experience outside Malaysia. MMC (Malaysia Medical Council) Full Registration, APC (Annual Practising Certificate) and Clinic Registration with MMC. And at least PR or Red IC in Malaysia.

Flashback:Results of Malay language class in University Hospital KL by University Malaya lacturers @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/flashbackresults-of-malay-language-class-in-university-hospital-kl-by-university-malaya-lacturers/

 

7. How do you handle your stress in emergency cases?

I must stay cool in any emergency situation, if not, I may do mistakes and patient would suffer.

8. Memorable CPRs I had performed @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/memorable-cprs-i-had-performed/

 

9. What are your personal challenges?

I have nose allergy, Asthma, Eye Allergy, Skin allergy, Hypertension, Diabetes, Hypercholesterolemia, Ischaemic Heart Disease and Deterioration of Eye Sight because of age (65 yrs) and because of previous attack of Glaucoma and Diabetes. So my health is my personal challenge. Being a Muslim in anti-Islam Myanmar and a Myanmar citizen in Malaysia who prefer the other rich Arab Muslims and Indo-Malay blooded Muslims from Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia etc. is also a big challenge for us.

Reference: My handicapped childhood @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/my-handicapped-childhood/

These archives would one day shed light on Darwin’s as well as my student days https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/03/23/these-archives-would-one-day-shed-light-on-darwin%E2%80%99s-as-well-as-my-student-days/

I do not have this gift of high IQ or photographic memory like this boy @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/03/19/i-do-not-have-this-gift-of-high-iq-or-photographic-memory-like-this-boy/

MRCOG Part 1 passed with six months’ preparation but BIGOT Myanmar MSC Part 1 failed four times @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/10/18/mrcog-part-1-passed-with-six-months-preparation-but-bigot-myanmar-msc-part-1-failed-four-times/

 

1. How would you patients describe you?

AlhamduliAllah, most of the patients described me as a friendly and good doctor.

1. When a poor patient is in emergency case, and they cannot afford the money. How would you help them?

In emergency, I would never ask whether the patients could pay or not but give the emergency treatment which the patient needs. After the treatment only I accept what the patient wish to settle.

2. Why aren’t you working under government hospital?

I have worked in government hospital but government failed to take care of our children’s education. As a foreigner, working in UM/UHKL I requested for the admission of my eldest son in UM but they told me to SEND TO PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES. So I sadly resigned to earn more in private practice. My eldest son got first degree from Lim Kok Wing’s university, Masters from UPM and now doing Ph.D. My daughter got MBBS from private university in Malaysia which I would not affort if I continue to work with government. Now My youngest son, born in Malaysia, Malaysian is in Final year Medical class in UPM.

Malaysia failed to appreciate the value of the professional migrants and foreign workers @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/malaysia-failed-to-appreciate-the-value-of-the-professional-migrants-and-foreign-workers/

 

3. As an International doctor. Did you face any difficulties when you first migrated to Malaysia. What were they?

Yes to get the job, to get the registration, to get visa or Employment Pass and to transfer from one place to another, there were numerous problems and difficulties as Malaysian Medical Council was practicing anti-Foreign Doctor Policies at that time and imposed a lot of RED TAPES.

Reference: THE DOCTORS @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/09/06/the-doctors/

Xenophobia, Racial and Religious Discriminations blocking the private doctors’ Postings for the training everywhere @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/07/23/xenophobia-racial-and-religious-discriminations-blocking-the-private-doctors%E2%80%99-postings-for-the-training-everywhere/

Extracts of my letter to former PM YAB Tun AAB to give fair and equal treatment to Myanmar Migrants @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/10/18/extracts-of-my-letter-to-former-pm-yab-tun-aab-to-give-fair-and-equal-treatment-to-myanmar-migrants/

I had made a history in UHKL under University Malaya to start accepting the Myanmar doctors

@ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/10/17/i-had-made-a-history-in-uhkl-under-university-malaya-to-start-accepting-the-myanmar-doctors/

 

4. Apart from being a doctor, are you doing any other kind of social works?

As a Muslim from Myanmar, I am an Myanmar Muslim Activist and Human Rights Activist, online and off-line.

Why Muslim countries refused to legalize the Migration, which is a natural phenomena even practised by Prophets and “gods” @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/why-muslim-countries-refused-to-legalize-the-migration-which-is-a-natural-phenomena-even-practised-by-prophets-and-gods/

 

5. Do you have any regrets about being a doctor? Nil.
6. What is the greatest fear of being a doctor for you?

Getting infectious diseases like during JBE, H1N1 and Ebola outbreaks but I believed in Allah swt and accepted as my faith.

7. What do you do in order to put you away from your job?

FB and blogging.

8. How many interviews you’ve given so far in your life?

Few times for Myanmar Muslim politics and for Xinjiang Uyghur Muslims for Channel 4 BBC last month.

9. Is there any emergency case that you gave up? Why did you do that?

Numerous in A&E UHKL because after trying for more than 30 minutes for resuscitation, there were brain death of the patient and no more use to waste our time and resources.

1. How do you handle changes?

Usually I am a conservative and like to stay status quo and used to resist the change but I understand that I need to update myself with the progress and to not only adapt the change but sometimes proactive for the change.

I still successfully resisted the modern technological changes and trends e.g. Credit Cards, Hand Phone and Internet Banking.

1. Describe a situation in which you have worked with a diverse group of people. What did you learn from that situation?

Recently I am in a Myanmar Muslim Citizen Group where there are diverse Muslims from various background, different races, different sects, different professionals staying inside and outside Myanmar at different countries around the world. Quite difficult to coordinate or work together as they have different interest and they are experts or “giants” in their own ways. I learned a lot from them by listening to them and to just help or coordinate with the different sub-groups depending on the situation.

2. What does the word “success” mean to you?

Success is actually in our mind and depends on our concept. If we are greedy there is no end to our material needs and gains.

If we want success, we all must dare to try even if there is a chance that we could fail

Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly. John F. Kennedy @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/09/25/if-we-want-success-we-all-must-dare-to-try-even-if-there-is-a-chance-that-we-could-fail/

Institute of Medicine Mandalay’s Golden Jubilee @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/institute-of-medicine-mandalays-golden-jubilee/

 

 

3. How would your teammates describe you? How would your professors describe you?

My teammates accept me as their hard working member who could lead them. My professors usually trust me as their hard working trustworthy staff.

Reference: Apartheid Burmese or Myanmar Medical Professors @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/03/17/apartheid-burmese-medical-professors/

Flashback: Testimonials of my Professors and bosses @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/flashback-testimonials/

 

 

4. If you could change one aspect of your personality with a snap of your fingers, what would you change?

Anger and quick rebuttal with angry response against any perceived wrong on me. And the inherited automatic tendency to side with under dogs and powerless people but to revolt the authorities or superiors if they are too much.

5. In what course did you get the best grades? Why? Anatomy and Physiology.

Ref: My Grades @ https://drkokogyi.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/x51.jpg?w=900&h=652

Flashback: My achievements and records in the Anatomy @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/flashback-my-achievements-and-records-in-the-anatomy/

 

6. In what course did you get the worst grades? Why? Pharmacology just got grade 3 pass. See above reference.
7. What do you think about euthanasia? I don’t ish to play God. My job is to treat or alleviate sufferings but not to assist in killing.
8. Why do you think so many people want to be doctors?

May be they thought they could get fame, wealth, lifelong carrier and respect.

9. What do you think is the most pressing issue in medicine today?

Overwork, stress, overeat and overweight leading to Obesity, Hypertension, Diabetes, Hypercholesterolemia and Ischaemic Heart Disease. (These are killing more people than HIV, Cancer and accidents.)

1. What is your relationship with your family?

OK may be enough as my wife and 2 children are working all are busy. We could not meet everyday as although except for my daughter, a doctor (husband is also a Malay doctor) they all are staying in our family house.

1. What is the biggest problem in the world today?

I think Islamophobia, extremism and wars.

I love, praise and respect some Jews, Christians, Buddhists or Hindu but hate the extremists @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2010/01/28/i-love-praise-and-respect-some-jews-christians-buddhists-or-hindu-but-hate-the-extremists/

2. Widespread Islamophobic Hate Speeches in Myanmar @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/many-bamas-are-swallowing-the-hook-line-and-sinker/

 

3. What is your solution to terrorism?

To look at the root cause of terrorism and factors pushing people pushing to become extremists.

4. If you could invite four people to dinner, who would they be? Why?

May be too megalomaniac…our Prophet Mohammed, Jesus Christ, Moses, Buddha (extra one Lord Shiva) to stop fighting based on religion and to confirm that they all are Allah’s messengers sent to earth at different times.

5. Discuss a book that you have recently read for pleasure. Why did you select that book?

Polyanna written by Eleanor H. Porter. To reduce the stress and depression. I have read this book for few dozens of time. Pollyanna’s “Glad Game” changed our Pessimistic views to optimistic visions @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/09/25/pollyannas-glad-game-changed-our-pessimistic-views-to-optimistic-visions/

 

6. If your best friends were asked to describe you, what would they say?

I don’t know what would they say at the back of me but infront of me they would praise me.

7. Describe your personality?

Soft spoken, smiling and always willing to help others.

Ref: MY SELF @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/my-self/

Curriculum Vitae @ https://drkokogyi.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/curriculum-vitae/