Dr. Saw Mra Aung
Dr. Saw Mra Aung was a physician, humanitarian and politician from Arakan (Rakhine) State, Burma (Myanmar). He earned an M.B.B.S. (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery) at Grant Medical College in Bombay, a D.C.H. (Diploma in Child Health) at the University of London and was awarded M.R.C.P. (Member of the Royal College of Physicians) from Glasgow. Dr. Saw Mra Aung served three deca
des in the civil service where he was posted to Rangoon General Hospital, Maubin Hospital, Mandalay General Hospital, Taunggyi Sao Sun Htun Hospital and East Rangoon General Hospital. He is credited with initiating a campaign to successfully install a Cobalt Radiotherapy Unit for cancer treatment at Mandalay General Hospital, giving volunteer service to Home for the aged in Mingun(Mandalay Division), formulating a treatment program for patients suffering from drug addiction in Taunggyi and upgrading services and facilities at East Rangoon General Hospital. Dr. Saw Mra Aung was a President of Mandalay Rotary International Club, founded the Upper Burma Doctors Association in Mandalay and advocated for public health throughout his career. He remained active in retirement, volunteering at Yangon Zivitadana Sangha Hospital and Hninzigone(Home for the aged) Hospital. As President and Patron of the Rakhine Thahaya Association, he oversaw the expansion of scholarship programs for underprivileged students and the construction of the Rakhine State Community Hall in Yangon. In 1988, Dr. Saw Mra Aung was elected Chairman of the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) and won a parliamentary seat for Mrauk Oo constituency during the 1990 elections. He was arrested in 1998 for organizing opposition political parties and detained until 2001. At 81 years, Amnesty International recognized Dr. Saw Mra Aung as the oldest prisoner of conscience in Burma at that time. In his absence, the Committee Representing People’s Parliament (CRPP) was formed, which included Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as a member. Dr. Saw Mra Aung was also elected as a Chairman. Following his release, Dr. Saw Mra Aung continued to advise the ALD and advocated for peace in Rakhine State. Dr. Saw Mra Aung was born on 23rd April 1918, in Mrauk Oo, Rakhine State by grateful parent U Saw Hla Aung and Daw Pan San Oo and passed away at his home in Yangon on 5 January 2009. He and his wife Daw Saw Tin (deceased) have five children, Dr.Tin Htun Aung (Daw Mie Mie Khine), Dr. Tin Mu Aung (Dr. Eddie Aung Gyi), Dr.Tin Lay Aung (deceased), Tin May Aung(U Toe Ba Shan),Dr. Tin Mar Aung and seven grandchildren.
