A 29-year-old pregnant mother and her unborn baby who were to be rushed to the hospital, died after being checked for a long time at the military council’s Kyauktan checkpoint in Sittwe Township of Arakan State.
A family member of the deceased said: “She is Ma Khin Khin Lin from Khrui Te Pikeseik Kyi Village village in Sittwe Township. She is about eight months pregnant and has a heart disease.”
A family member of the deceased said: “At around 10 pm on 20 October, the pregnant mother suddenly became short of breath and was taken to Sittwe Hospital by an India-made three-wheeler. Soldiers inspected the name and address of the pregnant woman and the persons on the board. It took at least one hour. She died due to a delay at the military council’s checkpoint.”
The family member said that there is not only enough time to transport the patient to Sittwe Hospital, but also to receive medical treatment. The family member said it was greatly saddened by the fact that they had been checked for such a long time.
The family member said: “On arrival at the hospital, she was dead. Doctors asked when the victim was taken to the hospital? and how long did it take? According to the doctors, the victim arrived at the hospital too late.”
Family members said that the deceased was about 8 months pregnant, and the obstetrician said that she would have to have a cesarean delivery when she was 9 months pregnant.
An autopsy of Ma Khin Khin Lin revealed that she was pregnant with a girl. Both Ma Khin Khin Lin and her baby died. Her body was buried on the afternoon of 22 October, family members said.
The Narinjara was unable to phone Col Kyaw Thura, Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs about the prolonged inspection.
Some seriously injured people from Kyaukseik village were taken to Sittwe Hospital by emergency vehicle, and one seriously injured person died as a result of prolonged check at the checkpoint in April 2020.
Inspections come after the military council clashed with the Arakan Army (AA) at the checkpoint in 2018. Locals said that even when the fighting has stopped, inspections are being carried out strictly.
The military council has banned the public from crossing the checkpoint from 6 pm to 6 am, according to local residents.
Sent by Narinjara