On Friday last week Interplast hosted a dinner at Burmese House in Richmond, Melbourne. It was a wonderful opportunity for more than 50 volunteers, donors and new supporters to hear from visiting medical professionals about how Interplast’s work is changing futures in Myanmar.

Associate Professor Michael Leung, Interplast Country Co-ordinator for Myanmar, introduced our two guest speakers, plastic surgeon Dr Aung Thurein Tun and anaesthetist Dr Cho Myint Tun, who have been in Melbourne for Interplast-supported training placements.

Professor Leung spoke about Interplast’s long-term commitment to supporting the development of Myanmar’s plastic surgery program, and his personal involvement since 2006.

He said he had watched plastic surgery progress significantly over the years, with increasing numbers of local plastic surgeons sharing their skills across the country. He made particular mention of Dr Myitzu Win, the first person in Myanmar to pass the Doctorate degree in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and now a fully qualified plastic surgeon.