Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham visited Burma last week to discuss healthcare reform with Aung San Suu Kyi.

Professor Darzi is the Director of the Insitute for Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London. His visit included meetings with Daw Suu and senior healthcare stakeholders to discuss national healthcare reform and also the development of new models of healthcare delivery at Rangoon General Hospital as part of the dedicated Reinvigoration Project, which Professor Darzi has championed for a number of years. Professor Darzi also congratulated Daw Suu on her party’s victory in Burma’s elections, which took place in November 2015.

During his visit, Professor Darzi took a tour of the Rangoon General Hospital to examine the progress that has been made in improving the building’s physical infrastructure and clinical services. Following an initial visit to the hospital in 2013, Professor Darzi and colleagues established the Rangoon General Hospital Reinvigoration Charitable Trust which has supported local leadership to transform the hospital. The Trust has introduced new drainage and safety measures, as well as enabling the exchange of international clinical expertise. 

Professor Darzi exchanging gifts with senior academics and Visiting Professors from the United Kingdom with expertise in the field of Nuclear Medicine.

Professor Darzi’s stay coincided with the arrival of two Visiting Professors specialising in the field of Nuclear Medicine – Professor Brian Hutton from University College London and Dr Sai Han from Glasgow Royal Infirmary. The Visiting Professors supported an important exchange of knowledge and clinical experience which helped to train technicians and clinical staff to enhance the recently opened Nuclear Medicine services at Rangoon General Hospital. The program is funded through the Rangoon General Hospital Reinvigoration Charitable Trust and is overseen by an International Advisory Committee chaired by Professor Darzi.

Professor Darzi said, “It is a privilege to support this important project and to sustain the reinvigoration of the crucial architectural, clinical and academic elements of this iconic hospital. The progress that has been made at Rangoon General Hospital over the last 2 years is outstanding and promises to be an important nucleus for the development of Burma’s evolving healthcare system in the years to come.”

Professor Darzi toured Rangoon General Hospital with senior academics, clinicians and members of parliament.

Photos credit: Dr Oliver Keown