Security force extracts 700,000 kyat from woman who sought medical treatment

Monday, 03 January 2011

Maungdaw, Arakan State: On December 29, Burma’s Border Security Force (Nasaka) extracted 700,000 kyat from a patient who went to Bangladesh for medical treatment with permission, but returned from Bangladesh after the agreed upon time, said a local businessman on condition of anonymity.

The patient was identified as Ms. Khotiza Begum (50), the wife of ex-school teacher Abul Abas, from Kyauk Hlagaar Village of Maungdaw Township.

Ms. Begum went to Bangladesh on November 10, 2010 for medical treatment for her diabetic condition. She took with her the necessary documents from the concerned authorities, but only received permission for a seven-day stay in Bangladesh.

After arrival at Bangladesh, the patient visited a diabetic specialist doctor in Chittagong and received treatment from him. However, the patient’s condition was very serious, and she was not able to return home by the end of the seven days, said a local elder.

Later, on December 28, 2010, the patient returned to her home, where she had to report to the concerned Nasaka camp. Major Kyaw Maung,the Nasaka commander of Nasaka Area No. 6 of Maungdaw Township charged her 700,000 kyat as a penalty for her late return.

At present, Rohingya villagers requiring medical attention are allowed to go to Sittwe (Akyab), the capital of Arakan State, only after paying large fees to the concerned authorities. However, many patients are not able to pay the amount required to legally travel to Sittwe. As a result, many Rohingya people suffer from ailments and are unable to receive proper medical treatment in northern Arakan State, where there is a scarcity of doctors and medicine for treatment.

A local elder said, “This is a great discrimination against the victim Khotiza Begum. The Nasaka know she has relatives abroad, so they asked her to pay a very big amount.”

Source: Kaladan Press Network.
Link: http://www.kaladanpress.org/v3/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2972:security-force-extracts-700000-kyat-from-woman-who-sought-medical-treatment.