Graduation Ceremony of 6th Intake of DSMA

The graduation parade of the No 6th Intake of the Defence Services Medical Academy took place on 31 December 2004 at the parade ground of the Academy, with an address delivered by Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe.

At this sixth intake of the DSMA, I would like to impart to you what you should know in all seriousness.

As you have already completed your studies in military and medical sciences, today, you will be assigned duties in the Tatmadaw.

From now on, you are going to discharge the national defence and medical duties as military doctors. In addition to your normal duties to take care of the health of the Tatmadaw members and their families, you are also responsible for the health care services of the entire people including the nationalities residing in border areas as necessary.

Health is the most basic requirement for development of a human society, because it contributes to enhancing the intellectual level of human beings. In this regard, the generation-by-generation improvement of health, fitness and education standard is a priority task you will have to carry out.

The essence of medical science is for all the living beings to enjoy longevity without suffering from any kind of ailment or disease. However, the biological weapons are being used as a secret weapon of war with the intention of totally wiping out a race from the earth or intimidating the people. Actually, it is the act of transforming the medical science into a lethal weapon. So, you should keep your eyes and ears open wide, while having the farsightedness and constant vigilance. The work of taking precautionary measures constantly and making preparations for an emergency situation are consistent task of the health sector.

In addition, one of the important factors of the health sector is to be free from relying on foreign countries. Thus, you will have to carry out research programmes with greater momentum to promote the traditional medicines and discover the alternative medicines.

The aim of the medical corps is to be ever healthy and fit for combat ready, as health and fitness are essential requirements for the national defence duty. Generally, military duty concerns the places where the weather is harsh and the transport is difficult, and that are prone to diseases. In this regard, you will have to train and nurture all the Tatmadawmen starting from inexperienced military personnel to have strong resistance to infection and to be physically strong; to teach them the healthy ways of living and eating; and to impart knowledge to them about the medical potency of the local foods for health, as food is also medicine.

What I would like to tell you in all seriousness concerning the health is that you need to have constant care against occurrence of unnecessary losses.

You are medical technicians as well as junior military leaders. Thus, you should have the characteristics of a military leader to win the trust and reliance of your subordinates. Everyone of you should be a model leading the life of a good soldier. You must be a good commander possessing the parental spirit. You should have the will to constantly strive for the betterment of the Armed Forces. When the matter comes to privilege, you must always place the sacrificing spirit in the fore. You should have the ability to always ensure unity of the unit under your command; and uphold the 12 noble traditions of the Tatmadaw.

As you are medical practitioners, you must always preserve the dignity of the profession. You must constantly undergo military training and study medical science, especially, to conduct a joint research on both sciences to discharge your duties well in the sophisticated form of future wars.

In conclusion, I would like to urge you to strive to become a gallant soldier and efficient medical professional in accord with the motto — The victorious and gallant medical soldier; to strive to become a model soldier and a good leader winning the trust and reliance of subordinates; to preserve and safeguard the noble traditions of the Tatmadaw; and to take care of the well-being of the people at any place, regarding them as your own parents.