Burmese Culture by

Traditional Myanmar Medicine

35363755 — 2024-08-28 05:17:35 UTC

The Myanmar culture focuses on medicinal plants and draws from Buddhist healing, Chinese medicine, and Ayurvedic concepts.

Over 158 medicinal plants with more than 78 uses are used; for example, Asiatic Penny Wort treats memory impairment and eye diseases. The plant is crushed and used with honey to treat memory problems, and for eye diseases, it is crushed and combined with honey and milk. (Chan, 2015)

Myanmar medicine is based on four traditional practices (Chan, 2015):

1. Desana System: based on Buddhist philosophy, uses herbal/mineral compounds while focusing on the body's natural reactions.

2. Bethlizza System: stems from Indian Ayurvedic concepts and uses herbal/mineral compounds to restore balance to the three dosas: Kapha, Vataand and Pitta.

3. Astrological System: prescribes dietary practices based on a person's birth date, age, and relevant calculation of stars and planets

4. Vezzadara System: dependent on meditation and alchemy to bring a person back to health

Burmese Cuisine

35363755 — 2024-08-28 06:03:27 UTC

Like a lot of the Myanmar culture, the cuisine is influenced by neighbouring nations such as Thailand, India, and China (Aye, 2020); dishes are aromatic, textured, and flavourful, using spices and vegetables. The national dish, Mohinga, is a fish-and-shallot-based broth with rice noodles traditionally served as a breakfast dish. Due to most dishes including meat, namely pork and fish, vegetarians are rare in the nation (Aye, 2020). Burma comprises of 138 ethnic groups with their own recognisable dishes and ingredients (Aye, 2020).

- Kachin is known for beef, bamboo shoots and chillies

- Mogok is known for pork dishes

- Bagan is known for pone yay gyi - a fermented bean paste

Reflection

35363755 — 2024-08-28 15:08:57 UTC

For me, the most significant section in Domain 1 of the 'Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds" framework was section 1.2.

I have developed my knowledge surrounding the influence individuals' experiences may have on their time in the healthcare system.

Having learnt about this impact, I now realise the difference in how I should approach every individual I care for because of their unique experiences.

This understanding will be essential to me in the workplace because I want to ensure every patient I encounter feels safe while caring for them.

Because I am not yet confident in my ability to continually provide such individualised care, I will now make a conscious effort to shape my provided care to accommodate any trauma

Previously, I hadn't thought about how an individual's past trauma would affect their experience with the healthcare system. I believe this is because I lack exposure to the healthcare system and diverse individuals.

Traditional Burmese Clothing

35363755 — 2024-08-28 15:44:28 UTC

Traditional Burmese clothing dates back to the 1750s, when it was first designed with large pieces of jewellery for people in powerful positions (Stephen, 2017). The style of dress was influenced by the end of the British era in the country. When Indian immigrants began crossing the borders, the dress was altered to mimic the traditional dress (Stephen, 2017)

Women wear floral headpieces, decorated blouses and a htaimen - a traditional dress.

Men wear turbans, slippers, and fur-lined embroidered jackets called Taifons with cotton shirts.

Both men and women traditionally wear long, tight sewing pants called Longyi, a cylindrical piece of cloth worn without straps and loosely wrapped around the waist (Stephen, 2017).

Unlike in some cultures, the traditional dress is worn regularly to suit the hot weather experienced in this nation (Stephen, 2017)

Social Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on Burmese Refugees and Migrants

35363755 — 2024-08-29 00:15:23 UTC

Refugees who arrive internationally to Australia are at an increased risk of poor health outcomes, mental health and general well-being (Crawford et al., 2023). This can be due to these individuals being excluded from participating in social, economic and political domains due to ingrained privilege and oppression (Crawford et al., 2023). Theoretically, international migration has many benefits; however, the biggest challenge is the individual gaining a sense of inclusion in their new nation (Crawford et al., 2023). Social exclusion experienced by refugees and migrated peoples is subjective, and all factors should be considered; these barriers to the healthcare system reinforce feelings of discrimination and social exclusion (Crawford et al., 2023). Because of these feelings, individuals may feel apprehensive to seek care as they lack the understanding and feelings of safety when caring for their health.

Religion in Burma

35363755 — 2024-08-29 00:42:50 UTC

Religion in Myanmar is an essential part of everyday culture (Evason, 2017). Most of the Burmese population (87.9%) follow Buddhism, which is deeply rooted in the nation's cultural history. The most practised is Theravāda Buddhism, as it provides the most stability in everyday life (Evason, 2017). Christianity is followed by 6.2% of the population, with the two most common beliefs being Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. 4.3% are Muslim, and less than 1% of the population are Animists and Hindus (Evason, 2017). Religion in Burma is closely related to an individual's ethnic origins (Evason, 2017). For example, Bamar people are primarily Buddhist, and most minority ethnic groups belong to minority religions.

Malaria in Refugees from Burma

35363755 — 2024-08-29 01:09:46 UTC

Malaria is an infection spread via mosquitos that carry the disease as a vector and transmit it through contact with the skin barrier and bloodstream (Phillips & Francis, 2024). Malaria is rampant in Myanmar due to the presence of infected mosquitos, and refugees who are from or have travelled through the nation must be screened for it (Phillips & Francis, 2024). A voluntary Departure Health Check is offered to all refugees; it includes an RDT for Malaria and treatment if results are positive, 72 hours before departure for Australia (Phillips & Francis, 2024). The disease is diagnosed via the results of a blood test, and to treat Malaria, patients are given a variation of oral medications and radial therapies depending on the strain.