Foundation Project
Dr Hsu Myat with Dr Greg Lockrey at the Thingangyun Sanpya General Hospital (TSGH) program in 2017
In October 2016, an anonymous Foundation provided a grant of A$100,000 p/a for 3 years for ANZGITA to use to improve gastroenterology services in Myanmar in response to an application from ANZGITA. This project has been termed the Foundation Project and was enthusiastically accepted by ANZGITA’s partners in Myanmar.
At a meeting in March 2017 of Prof Macrae with the Union Minister of Health and Sports, the Myanmar Permanent Secretary of Health and other government officials secured very broad endorsement of the project including the support proposed for nursing education and upskilling. Prof Macrae was directed to manage the project under the stewardship of the Myanmar Gastroenterology and Liver Society (MGLS) which, in turn, asked Prof Thein Myint, Yangon General Hospital (YGH), to oversee the project. Dr Greg Lockrey accepted the role as pro bono ANZGITA Project Manager. Following further planning work, a Project Administrator, Dr Hsu Myat, was appointed.
Project funding supported the attendance of Myanmar nurses at the Sanpya (TSGH) Hospital training program as well as some trainer travel and accommodation costs at the Sanpya and Mandalay programs. Funds were also contributed for the two outreach visits conducted during the Sanpya program and funded nurse educator visits to regional hospitals with followup support. Only the first year of the Foundation's funding was drawn down by the project which was halted when YGH decided to cease its relationship with ANZGITA.
At a meeting in March 2017 of Prof Macrae with the Union Minister of Health and Sports, the Myanmar Permanent Secretary of Health and other government officials secured very broad endorsement of the project including the support proposed for nursing education and upskilling. Prof Macrae was directed to manage the project under the stewardship of the Myanmar Gastroenterology and Liver Society (MGLS) which, in turn, asked Prof Thein Myint, Yangon General Hospital (YGH), to oversee the project. Dr Greg Lockrey accepted the role as pro bono ANZGITA Project Manager. Following further planning work, a Project Administrator, Dr Hsu Myat, was appointed.
Project funding supported the attendance of Myanmar nurses at the Sanpya (TSGH) Hospital training program as well as some trainer travel and accommodation costs at the Sanpya and Mandalay programs. Funds were also contributed for the two outreach visits conducted during the Sanpya program and funded nurse educator visits to regional hospitals with followup support. Only the first year of the Foundation's funding was drawn down by the project which was halted when YGH decided to cease its relationship with ANZGITA.