Musings on the Road to Mandalay

The Road to Mandalay
(“took the road less travelled”…
What a ride! )
In October last year, in a moment of weakness, I accepted to go to Myanmar as part of the Quality Assurance (QA) Audit Team. This QA study was meant to check whether the various clinics affiliated with PSI that were inserting IUDs (a birth control device) were adhering to quality standards. The study was to be led by a qualified medical doctor to be accompanied by a program person (me) to provide some balance to the team. I did not think much about this assignment at that point, as I had planned to get out of it and get a medical person to go instead of me.
But, given that it takes six months to get a business visa, the die was cast when my name was submitted for the visa. In January, when I tried to get out of the study, folks at PSI/Washington were firm that I had to go. I was quite pissed off. I have just started a new job and taking two weeks for this exercise was not the best use of my time (my opinion at that point). I really did not think I would add much value to the process. But, no one was willing to make an exception for me and so I finally went for this study -March 1-10, 2010.
And boy was it a great experience!!!! Here are some key highlights and wisdom gained:
I love road trips and seeing the country. So, nine days across the country on the road to Mandalay was fascinating. Increasingly, I no longer enjoy the typical tourist spots but rather like to see life through a different lens.
Diving ‘deep’ into the country and away from mobile phones and emails was liberating. A comfortable van off the beaten path is a great tonic for apathy. Visiting urban, semi urban and rural clinics and interacting with the staff and the many consumers we serve were big ‘highs.’
It was great to see how our work directly affects the lives of so many women in far flung places
Loved the food – for most part. The noodles from the ‘Shaan’ state being a particular delicacy. Had it for breakfast! Could not imagine eating noodles in a ram shackled road side place, but really enjoyed it. Key lesson learnt – break old habits and try new things! But after a while, the down-market places we ate in finally got to me and the MTR packed Sambar and Masala rice packets were a great boon. Thanks to Lata’s prodding, I had brought these.
The bright smile of the young mother that we met by chance outside a ‘payaah’ (pagoda) in Mandalay is etched in my mind. This is why we do what we do! She was using an injectable contraceptive supplied by PSI and her husband was on TB treatment from a PSI supported clinic. She gave me this beautiful flower as a token of appreciation (she sells these flowers).
Overall, a trip of a lifetime and one to be cherished for years to come….

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