Mae Tao Clinic - History

History

In 1988, during Burma's ruling military junta’s violent suppression of the pro-democracy movement, which culminated in the 1988 Uprising (see also 8888 Uprising), Dr. Maung was among many Burmese who fled across the border into neighbouring Thailand where she established a makeshift facility in Mae Sot to treat the injuries sustained by fellow refugees. In that year the clinic treated some 2000 individuals. The clinic has been there ever since and has grown in size to offer a wide range of health care services, social services, training, outreach programmes as well as child protection and health education. In 2006 the clinic saw 80,000 people pass through its doors.

Today, MTC continues to care for the sick and wounded refugees, mostly from Karen State, who have been forced from their villages (follow this link for a run down of the situation there ); villages which are invariably burned to the ground in the military junta's 'scorched earth' policy - part of an overarching doctrine known as the 'Four Cuts'.

In Summer 2008 the American President, George Bush, visited Thailand with his wife, Laura. The Mae Tao Clinic was visited by Mrs. Bush where she spoke of her support for Dr. Maung and the clinic's work. It is thought that highlighting the MTC in this way was politically motivated, designed to convey a more direct U.S. policy position towards Burma's authoritarian leaders.