Veteran journalist and outspoken democracy activist Win Tin has been transferred to the intensive care unit of Rangoon General Hospital for respiratory problems and hip pain.
The 85-year-old Win Tin, a co-founder of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party, was admitted to a private hospital more than two weeks ago and moved to Rangoon General on Saturday after his health failed to improve. He was reportedly put on oxygen therapy after losing consciousness.
“He has been breathing with the help of an oxygen tube for 48 hours, and the doctor said his condition is improving,” said Min Thukha, a family friend who is caring for the activist. Min Thukha added that Win Tin had regained consciousness and that the tube would be removed soon.
Win Tin was a political prisoner for almost two decades under the former military regime, until his release in 2008. Since then he has been hospitalized frequently for heart problems and other health concerns.
Ohn Htun, another close friend of the activist, said the doctors were still unsure what was causing the hip pain.
“He got an X-Ray scan. The doctor suggested an operation, but it didn’t happen because he has a pacemaker which could be affected,” Ohn Htun told The Irrawaddy.
Win Tin was first admitted to Greencross Hospital overnight on March 12 and moved to Victoria Hospital last week on Thursday. Doctors recommended transferring him to Rangoon General because the public hospital has better medical equipment.
After Aung San Suu Kyi, Win Tin is one of Burma’s best-known opposition figures. Since his release from prison in 2008, he has continued to wear his blue prison-issued uniform as a sign of solidarity with other political prisoners. He refused to return the shirt in April last year when the police demanded it back.
