Ms. Khaing Zar Lwin – Scholarship Holder 2017/18
(Population and Reproductive Health Research)

My name is Khaing Zar Lwin. I come from Shan State, the northern part of Myanmar. I studied at the University of Nursing (Mandalay) with a Bachelor of Nursing (B.N.Sc) degree in 2007. Afterwards I successfully completed the postgraduate course “Development Studies” at the Yangon University of Economics.

I also received a scholarship from the Australia Awards Fellowship Program and was awarded a certificate on “Strengthening Civil Society in Myanmar”.

My aspiration and future goal

In the future, I would like to take a leadership role in public health to promote the role of public health in civil society and strengthen preventive, curative and rehabilitative health care in Myanmar. By incorporating health policy and planning, management, technical assistance, medical research, and education, I want to help strengthen my country’s health care system.

My medical experience

After graduating from high school, I worked as a nurse in the hospital in Mandalay City for one and a half years. During this time I became interested in the non-profit work of NGOs.

In 2010, I was selected by Relief International as a Maternal and Child Health Nurse. I took responsibility for conducting health training and providing ante-natal, post-natal and newborn care in 18 villages.

During my professional work with “Relief International” I went to Rakhine State to support people who were victims of the “Giri” hurricane. After completing this project, I joined the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as a 3Diseases Support Nurse (HIV, TB and Malaria). At the IOM, I had the opportunity to grow in my professional career as I provided technical support, consultation and coordination, and took on management and supervisory responsibilities.

My current employment

I am currently working as an Assistant Project Manager (Health and HIV/AIDS section) in Karuna Mission Social Solidarity (KMSS), Caritas Myanmar, a faith-based organization based on Catholic Social Teaching.

My plans for the future

After graduation, I will be deeply involved in promoting civil society in the health sector by conducting and implementing effective research related to reproductive health. For national health sector development, civil societies are the bridging gaps that link the strategic policy process at the national level with effective implementation at the community level.

The development of civil societies in the health sector plays an essential role in accelerating the development of this sector. That is why I chose the Master’s degree in Population and Reproductive Health Research, so that I can study health management and the guidance it requires, which is important for implementation and evaluation for successful and sustainable development of the health sector.

I would like to thank the “Bettina Katterman Foundation” and KAAD for their invaluable support for me and other candidates so that we can be helpful to Myanmar.

With kind regards

Khaing Tsar Lwin

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