Bangladesh: Turkish hospital cures Rohingya centenarian

by Baris Kilic

COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh (AA) - A 120-year-old Rohingya woman is being treated at a Turkish field hospital in Bangladesh.

Azime Hatun arrived at the hospital in Cox's Bazaar city, near the border with Myanmar, after a tedious six-day journey.

The centenarian was unable to speak due to old age but her daughter Ayshe Hatun agreed to speak on her behalf.

She said she set off on the journey with her mother, two brothers and two sisters.

Her brothers carried their mother on their shoulder, but died after reaching Bangladesh.

Hatun, who is in her late 40s, said now she will have to take care of her mother alone.

She praised the doctors at the hospital, adding that her mother's condition was improving every day.

"We always pray for Turkey," she said.

Husnuye Erdogan, deputy of ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party for Konya province, visited the hospital and met Azime Hatun.

She said that making refugees happy makes Turkish people and leaders proud.

Ayse Dogan, another parliamentarian, said: “Under the leadership of Turkish President and Premier we are here to help you."

The visit was organized by Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

Since Aug. 25, 2017, more than 750,000 refugees, mostly children and women, have fled Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after Myanmar forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community, according to Amnesty International.

At least 9,000 Rohingya were killed in Rakhine state from Aug. 25 to Sept. 24, according to Doctors Without Borders.

In a report published on Dec. 12, 2017, the global humanitarian organization said the deaths of 71.7 percent or 6,700 Rohingya were caused by violence. They include 730 children below the age of 5.

Turkey has been at the forefront of providing aid to Rohingya refugees and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has raised the issue at the UN.

The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.