NLD Patron U Tin Oo Suffers Stroke, Remains in Critical Condition

By Htun Htun 19 May 2017

RANGOON — National League for Democracy (NLD) patron U Tin Oo is receiving medical treatment at the intensive care unit in Rangoon General Hospital after falling in his bathroom and suffering a stroke, although his condition is improving, according to doctors at the hospital.

“His right side is paralyzed because of the stroke,” said Dr. Win Min Thit, head of the hospital’s neurological department, on Friday. “He still can’t speak. But his left side can move well. We have to wait and see because his condition may change within a week.”

The 91-year-old politician slipped in his bathroom on Wednesday evening and was rushed to Shwe Gon Dine Hospital before being transferred to Rangoon General Hospital at around 3 a.m. on Thursday.

He developed a small blood clot in one of the three cerebral arteries, which does not require an operation, said Dr. Myat Thu of the neurological department. According to the doctors, he has abnormally high blood pressure and a heart condition, but he did not break any bones in the fall.

The hospital formed a committee of medical experts led by its superintendent Dr. Aye Ko Ko to treat U Tin Oo in the intensive care unit, where he will remain for at least three weeks.

“His condition has improved compared to yesterday,” said U Aye Ko Ko.

U Tin Oo served as the Burma Army’s commander-in-chief and defense minister from 1974-1976. He was imprisoned for alleged involvement in an attempted coup in July 1976, and released in 1980 during an amnesty. Eight years later he co-founded the NLD, becoming its vice-chairman and chairman.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.