Tribute to Professor Daw Khin Nyunt Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, M.B.,B.S. (Rgn), D.Obst.R.C.O.G,F.R.C.O.G ( UK)
Myanmar Journal of Current Medical Practice was first established in 1996 with Prof Aung Than Ba Tu, Prof Maung Maung Sein, Dr U Thaung and Prof Daw Khin Nyunt as founding members. Prof Daw Khin Nyunt served as the one and only lady editor of the board till the journal paused in 2015.
I have worked as a House Officer under Prof Daw Khin Nyunt in 1981 at Defence Services General Hospital and as a Master Student and Assistant Surgeon in 1988 at Central Women’s Hospital, Rangoon. I would like to share her life history and my brief encounter with Amay Nyunt @ Ma Ma Nyunt as she was known.
Prof Daw Khin Nyunt was born on 23th January 1930 in Magwe. She matriculated in 1948 and was conferred M.B.,B.S. degree from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Rangoon in 1955, D.Obst. from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 1963, M.R.C.O.G in 1965 and F.R.C.O.G in 1978.
Young Prof Daw Khin Nyunt on M.B,B.S, graduation Day
Prof Daw Khin Nyunt in FRCOG gown
She worked as Civil Assistant Surgeon, Maternity and Child Health Centre, Rangoon 1956- 1957, Civil Assistant Surgeon, School Health, Theinbyu, Rangoon 1957-1958, Civil Assistant Surgeon, Rangoon, 1958-1962, Part-time Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rangoon 1960- 1962. She went to U.K on state scholarship for postgraduate studies in 1963-1966. After she returned from U.K, she was posted as Civil Assistant Surgeon, Central Women’s Hospital, Rangoon and Part-time Demonstrator of Institute of Medicine 1, Rangoon in 1966- 1967, Assistant Lecturer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Medicine Mandalay in 1967- 1968, Lecturer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Medicine Mandalay in 1967-1968, Lecturer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Medicine 1, Rangoon in 1969- 1979. She was promoted to Clinical Professor, Institute of Medicine 2, Rangoon and Defence Services General Hospital, Mingaladon, 1979-86, Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Medicine1, Rangoon and Central Women’s Hospital, Rangoon 1986- 1988. Professor and Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Medicine 2, Rangoon and North Okkalapa General Hospital, Rangoon, 1988 -1990.
She retired in 1990 and worked as an advisor at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Defence Services General Hospital from 1996 to 2006. She continued her private practice at her own clinic at home till her final days although she had an operation for cervical spondylosis.
The late Prof U Soe Myint, Prof Daw Khin Nyunt and AP U Hla Min (Saya Tommy)
Prof U Maung Maung Sein with Prof Daw Khin Nyunt
Prof Daw Khin Nyunt with her nephew Prof Aye Aung at his M.B.BS graduation
She was awarded the Pyi Thu Wun Dan Medal and Nyein Wut Pi Pya Ye Hnint Tayar Upade Soe Moe Ye Medal in 1991. She was a member of Myanmar Academy of Medical Science, 1999, Executive Committee member, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society, Myanmar Medical Association, Member of Asian Oceanian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOFOG).
Prof Daw Khin Nyunt in front of the Convocation Hall, Rangoon University
She has attended WHO seminars on community Medicine in Indonesia, 1971, WHO interregional course in Fertility Management and MCH care in Singapore, 1979, Safe Motherhood Conference (UNICEF) in Lahore, Singapore, 1990. She has done research on Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Liquor sodium in Preeclampsia and Normal Pregnancy. She has published Study of Carcinoma Vulva in Mandalay General Hospital in Union of Burma Journal of Life Science in 1977, Outcome of Breech deliveries in Central Women’s Hospital in Burma Medical Journal in 1980, Septic Abortion in Burma Medical Journal 26(4) in 1981, Assessment of Foetal Growth from birth weight Data in Burma Medical Journal 27(4) in 1982 and presented Renal Problems in Pregnancy at a symposium at Burma Medical Conference.
Prof Fairweather from RCOG with Senior Obstetricians and Gynaecologists before the dinner at Karaweik Hall, Rangoon
First row from left to right; the late OG Daw Khin Thin Yi, the late Prof Daw Florence Maung Maung, the late Prof Daw Hla Kyi (seated), Prof Daw Mya Mya, the late Prof Daw Khin Nyunt, OG Daw Yin May, the late Prof Daw Khin Khin Phyu.
Second row from left to right; the late OG Daw San Yi, OG Daw Tin Myint Myint, Prof Fairweather, the late AP Daw Khin Ma Lay, OG Daw Khin Myint Swe.
Senior Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, From left to right: OG DawKhin Thin Yee, Prof Daw Florence Maung Maung, Prof Daw Hla Kyi (seated), Prof Daw Mya Mya, Prof Daw Khin Nyunt, Prof Daw Yin May.
Ma Ma Nyunt was an impartial, good natured Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and I have never seen her lose her temper. She always kept a low profile and I vividly remember her sweet smile. She was very kind, patient and considerate to her juniors. She was always present in operation theatre on every operation day, ready to train and assist us.
Ma Ma Nyunt passed away after a short illness in 2008 with liver cancer. She was survived by two sisters, one nephew and two nieces. Her nephew, Prof Aye Aung followed her footsteps and became an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. Her demise is a great loss for MJCMP and the Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society.
Author Information
Yin Yin Soe
Professor (retired)
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Medicine 1, Yangon
