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Song Chang Murung was the first woman doctor among the backward Mro community in Alikadam, Bandarban. With the change of time, many of the Mros have come a long way now.
Similarly, Sanchang Mro, a female doctor, is among the first Mro community of small ethnic groups to emerge from this remote township.
Dr. Song chang Murung's house is said to be the daughter of Kaingpre Mro and Tumleng Mro of Ward No. 9, Paya Karbari Para, No. 1 Sadar Union, Alikadam, Bandarban.
The beginning of life was never so easy for him. Due to his mother's prolonged illness and his sister's death due to lack of treatment, his father, Kingpreh Mro, decided to make one of his children a doctor. He wanted to become a doctor because his sister died without treatment in his childhood.
Due to the long efforts of the father, Sanchang Mro's practice led to the emergence of the first female doctor among the Mro from marginalized areas. Sanchang Mro was a 4th batch student in Rangamati Medical College in session 17-18. Currently, after completing his medical degree, he is interning in the said medical college.
Talking to Song chang Murung, I started my primary education from my father as a child. In between Zoom's work, father used to teach me one by one on the ground or sometimes on a banana leaf. Father thought that if we study we can get knowledge about medicine, so he made us study for that purpose. Because one of our sisters died due to lack of treatment.
Besides, my mother is sick for a long time. From that time, father gave up all kinds of drugs and started teaching early childhood education to others himself and taught us too.But since there was no school in the village, my father admitted me to a hostel called Lama Mission far away from the village.
Later, after 1 year of stay, when that hostel was closed, he admitted me again to Taidang Hostel run by Father Lupi. While staying in that hostel, I studied from Champatpara Government Primary School and Alikadam Government High School till 2012. In 5th and 8th grade I got scholarship in Talentpool.
Song chang Murung also said, I had to go to St. Joseph's High School and College due to the lack of good science teachers in Alikdam High School. Many teachers and sisters have supported me in various ways despite the scarcity.
After SSC exam I got selected in Holycross college through admission test. I could not get admission at that time due to lack of money, I was very sad at that time. But Namitha sister again took me to her college and gave me the chance to study college fee free.
Many college teachers taught me for free. Sister Mary Margaret used to pay my hand sometimes. When I finished my HSC exam I didn't go home because I didn't have money. I taught 2 brothers and sisters while in college. I started preparing for medical admission with that saved money. Dad told me to come home and take a job test, but I told dad that I will not return home until I get a chance somewhere.
Taking the entrance exam was more difficult in my life. Even though I was in Dhaka, I didn't know much outside Dhaka because I was confined to a hostel. Where my classmates' fathers come and deliver them to the hall, I alone took the entrance exams in various universities. My happiest day was the day I got the result of Rangamati Medical College. The very next day I prepare to go home, after almost 3 years I go home.
Since getting admission in medical school, I have not looked back for money. Chairman of Bandarban Hill Zilla Parishad Kyashihla Sir, Subarna Bhoomi Foundation, BSSB helped me in various ways.
Our senior elder brothers and sisters also helped me by giving me bonuses, books. He also said, I want the people of the mountains to not die due to lack of treatment. The hills still lack adequate treatment.
General Secretary of Alikadam Murung Council Thong Prey Mro said, Sanchang is the first woman doctor among Mro. His achievement is a boon for the people.
Alikadam Kurukpata Union Parishad chairman Krat Pung Murung said, many people die every year due to lack of proper treatment in the remote hills of our Alikadam upazila. Sanchang Mro said that if the doctor stands by the neglected people in Alikadam then the people of the area will benefit.
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