Specialist Family Medicine doctor and UKZN alumnus, Dr Tin Myint from Stanger Hospital generously donated boxes of textbooks to Medical students based at the site.
He collected the books and journals over many years as a Medical student and junior doctor. Some were also donated by friends who left the country or retired from the health department.
‘I aim to impart knowledge to young Medical students and junior doctors, and adding text books to the UKZN Medical library is my way of supporting those undergoing community-based training in Primary Health Care,’ said Myint.
Myint is an Honorary Lecturer in the Department of Family Medicine at UKZN. He completed his MBBS in 1982 at the Institute of Medicine (Mandalay), Myanmar and has worked in Myanmar, Lesotho and South Africa as a general practitioner, medical officer, medical manager and in Specialist Family Medicine.
He completed a Master’s degree in Family Medicine at Stellenbosch University in 2006 followed by a Diploma in HIV Clinical Management from UKZN in 2008. He is very much involved in teaching and supporting medical interns, visiting students, and junior doctors. Myint is also actively involved in the Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme run by UKZN’s Department of Family Medicine.
Sixth-year medical student, Mr Mandla Mboba said: ‘I am humbled by this gesture. Dr Myint’s contribution will not only impact us but generations to come, not only because of knowledge in the form of textbooks, but because he has also taught us a valuable lesson of giving back to our communities.’
Fellow student Mr Chulumanco Mangquku added: ‘There are never enough resources like textbooks. We really appreciate this donation.’
Words: Lihle Sosibo
Photograph: Zamafunze Mdunge