Author: Théophile Niyitegeka

Four undergo Cosmetic Surgery at King Faisal

{Four Rwandans have undergone Cosmetic Surgery since King Faisal Hospital (KFH) started offering services for such operations since September 2016.}

Abdominoplasty, liposuction, Mastopexy, Gynaecomastia correction and Otoplasty are among services offered under Cosmetic Surgery.

Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure used to make the abdomen thinner. Liposuction, is a type of cosmetic surgery that removes fat from the human body in an attempt to change its shape while Mastopexy is the plastic surgery procedure for raising sagging breasts upon the chest of the woman; by changing and modifying the size, contour, and elevation of the breasts.

Gynaecomastia is an operation to correct male breast enlargement while Otoplasty consists of the surgical and non-surgical procedures for correcting the deformities and defects of the external ear.

Cosmetic Surgery was introduced at KFH on 17th September last year.

In an interview with IGIHE, Dr Furaha Charles, specialist in Plastic surgery attributed low number of service seekers to various causes including lack of equipment to carry operations of Cosmetic Surgery.

“The low numbers of operated patients emanated from lacking a machine facilitating my operations but I hope it will be available soon. Some people came to me for Cosmetic Surgery but asked them to wait patiently as we wait for the machine,” he said.

Abdominoplasty, Gynaecomastia correction are among operations exercised for the four treated people under Cosmetic Surgery.

Dr Furaha explained that three people including a resident of Kampala in Uganda are among people on pending list to be operated.

He said scarcity of people seeking such operations also arise from suspicion on quality standards of such services.

“People still wonder whether these operations can be properly held in Rwanda. Many people are waiting to see operated individuals to become fearless,”said Dr Furaha.

Cosmetic Surgery cost at King Faisal Hospital ranges between Rwf 1.5 and 2.5 billion. It was previously sought in America and Europe.

{{Challenge of specialists’ inadequacy }}

Only two Rwanda’s doctors are specialized in plastic surgery. Dr Furaha is among the two and can also make reconstructive surgery.

He unveiled ambition to train more doctors to make such operations “We want to train more doctors in Rwanda but have not yet obtained license to do so. We expect to offer such trainings when licensed as it happens in other medical domains,” he said.

{{“No surgery without risk”}}

Dr. Furaha says he can’t assure people they can’t face consequences which is why a patient has to confirm readiness to experience positive or negative modifications.

He explained such consequences might arise from both the doctor’s performance and the structure of the patient’s body or result from patient’s habits like smoking tobacco.

“A person may come and lie to have abandoned smoking tobacco yet she/he still consumes it and do it in secrecy even after surgery. That’s where consequences are self-inflicted by the patient, “said Dr Furaha.

Increasing some body parts like breasts and buttocks using implants are among operations resulting in negative consequences but the technique of using greases known as Fat Grafting to be used in Rwanda is likely to have less consequences.

“ First you have to make sure a doctor carrying the operation is competent and be prepared before whether you have definitively decided to undergo the surgery,” said Dr Furaha.

High bleeding, infections, body failure to adapt new transplanted flesh which might lead to death are among consequences people seeking Plastic surgery may encounter.

May 2, 2017
In Rwanda, one good deed deserves another

{When the sun rises on the last Saturday of each month in Rwanda, it dawns over a country blanketed in silence. The ubiquitous motorcycle taxis, which stream across the city non-stop, disappear. Stores are shuttered, streets are empty.}

Once a month for four hours, the entire country shuts down to take part in government-mandated community work called “Umuganda,” a Kinyarwanda word that means “coming together in common purpose to achieve an outcome.”

Rwanda’s monthly day of good deeds is the government’s innovative — though mandated — solution to the challenges the country faced after the 1994 genocide against Tutsi when more than one million people were killed during 100 days.

“We call it ‘Made in Rwanda,’ unique things that Rwanda needs to do to overcome our unique challenges,” said Faustin Zihiga during Umuganda Day at the end of February. Zihiga and about 100 of his neighbors spend each Umuganda cleaning up Kimana Village, their middle-class neighborhood in the capital of Kigali.

“After the genocide, the leadership had to look for ways to rebuild a shattered community,” explained Zihiga. “They came up with things that will help people revive the voluntary spirit.”

In the 23 years after genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda has developed at a rate far exceeding anyone’s expectations. The steady 8 percent growth in GDP over the last 15 years has catapulted Rwanda beyond its struggling neighbors to an orderly country with excellent roads, spotless cities, and effective government institutions with almost no corruption.

Zihiga, who works at a bank in Kigali, noted that the Umuganda tradition predates the genocide as “ubudehe,” when communities would gather to cultivate fields together. Ubudehe slowly faded out of use as Rwanda transitioned from a bartering society to a cash-based society in the second half of the 20th century. After the genocide, the government revived the practice with a focus on community beautification and development, and christened it with the new name of Umuganda.

According to Kigali Today Press, a pro-government English-language news agency, Umuganda has saved the country 106 billion francs (US$128.5 million) over the last decade. In some areas, villages might band together to undertake major infrastructure projects, such as building and paving roads or constructing health centers and schools. Other work includes repairing broken water pipes, laying irrigation lines, painting crosswalks, gardening, weeding, street sweeping and general beautification.

Attendance at Umuganda is compulsory. Every household must send at least one representative over the age of 18. People do Umuganda with their local village, or, in a city, residents are divided into neighborhood work crews. There are 20 to 150 families in each group.

If someone misses too many Umuganda sessions without an approved excuse from the local council, the government levies a 5,000-franc ($6) fine against them, a huge amount of money for many people. The average income in Rwanda is $718 per year, about $2 per day.

The Umuganda commitment consists of about three hours of physical work and one hour of community meeting. Local leaders decide what work will be completed each month and send trucks with loudspeakers around their neighborhoods to inform people where to meet and which tools to bring.

“Most people like it because it’s the only day you meet your neighbors,” said Zihiga, in the midst of using a panga, a curved blade, to cut grass next to a dirt path leading to his neighborhood. “See those people over there, talking?” he asked, gesturing to a lively group of men, leaning on their hoes and laughing. “They haven’t met all week, and now they are meeting up. It helps a lot because the more you get to know each other, the more you’re socially connected.”

“Umuganda is helpful beyond cleanliness,” Zihiga continued. “For example, if we see someone that can’t afford health insurance — it’s 3,000 francs [National Insurance costs $3.50 per year for all Rwandans and is compulsory] — and we hear about it, then we can all contribute to try to raise the money. If we see an elderly person who is struggling, perhaps they need a new roof built, then people will help out to build it together.”

The hour-long meeting is a chance for communities to hash out issues and get information. Representatives from the health ministry or local clinics may do a short lecture on basic sanitation or avoiding malaria. At the community meeting in Kimana Village in February, a nurse gave a talk on children’s vitamins, and the neighborhood community security officer, a former soldier, lectured about the dangers of drug use.

“If there are specific problems for social issues, like maybe a neighbor is making a lot of noise, you can say something about it, and the community members may decide to visit and see what is the issue,” said Zihiga. “They will ask you what is going on. You make sure you don’t want to look bad with the community because we are a community-based society. You don’t want to be isolated. This is a social commitment you have to have.”

The meeting is also an opportunity for residents to take part in the national “100 Program” — a savings program that encourages families to deposit at least 100 francs (12 cents) per month into a savings account. The community accountant keeps track of everyone’s contributions. There is no interest, but the program has helped families save large amounts of money for school fees or national insurance, explained Kimana resident Yvonne Nshuti. “It’s to help people change their minds and think about saving money,” she said.

Nshuti said she often looks forward to the last Saturday of every month. “I like Umuganda. We are happy to work and we meet up with friends,” she said. “Every morning we wake up and go to our jobs; we don’t get to see our friends.”

Despite the positivity surrounding the day, most people said that they came because it was a government mandate, and if the government stopped requiring attendance, the tradition would probably fall apart.

“The government asked us to come — it is an order, so we have to respect that order,” said Nshuti.

Across the country, everyone takes part: police, politicians, women religious, business people, farmers, storeowners and students. Well-dressed women who work in offices during the week hack away at persistent weeds along with day laborers who live in shacks next to the luxury apartments.

“All of the sisters participate; this is everywhere, all over the country,” explained Sr. Philomene Nyirahuku, who oversees formation for the Les Soeurs Auxiliatrices (Helpers of the Holy Soul) congregation in Kenya and Rwanda. “The idea is not to wait for the government to do it for them, but to contribute something to the country and the nation,” she said.

Sisters join residents living around their convents for Umuganda day, doing whatever the community leaders have chosen for that Saturday.

“It helps people work together, both for socializing and to do something important for the community,” said Nyirahuku.

Sr. Claudine Uwamariya, an Oblate Sister of the Assumption in Kigali, said they use the theory of Umuganda to encourage street children to practice personal hygiene at the Abadacogora Intwari Center. The center, whose name means “working together without getting discouraged,” is a Caritas-sponsored program that is part of the Sainte Famille Church in downtown Kigali. Uwamariya works with about 400 street children, providing them with counseling and food in their day program. Umuganda provides both a learning opportunity and a challenge for the street children, she said.

“We encourage them to clean and wash themselves and then clean where we’re doing our activities,” said Uwamariya. “They know it’s something for the whole country, but sometimes they hide during Umuganda because they’re not allowed to be in the roads.” Police set up checkpoints to ensure that anyone traveling has a legitimate commitment, or to determine why people aren’t participating.

“On the day of Umuganda there are no shops open, so they can’t get anything to eat,” Uwamariya said. “But it also helps kids learn to be good and proper. When we’re together and we meet [during the community meeting], we talk about their problems and make decisions to help solve their problems.” When street children participate in the Umuganda along with the local community, it also provides an opportunity for the local residents to see the street children, rather than ignore the kids who usually beg them for money, explained Uwamariya. “It makes us look at the problems we have in the community and find a way to resolve those problems,” she said.

“Our traditions, like umuganda, like gacaca [“grass courts,” traditional courts that were used to bring justice to genocide victims], these are traditional things that have helped the country, bringing tremendous change,” said Zihiga, the bank worker in Kimana Village. He believes other countries can replicate Rwanda’s community building through volunteer work.

“We’re looking to our tradition: Our tradition is umuganda,” he said. “But all cultures have a way they used to live together. It’s about finding what used to bring the community together and modernizing it, but taking something that is inborn to the place.”

After three hours of weeding and pruning under the sun, the people of Kimana neighborhood were ready to start their meeting. They slipped into a shaded grassy area near the main road and signed in on the attendance sheet, sitting quietly as they waited for the meeting to begin.

“It’s about helping each other,” said Moshe, a Kimana resident in his 20s, as he put down his hoe and headed to the meeting. “When it comes to something that requires more effort, like building a house, you can’t do it alone. If you help others, then they will help you when you need it.”

[In Rwanda, one good deed, required by law, deserves another->http://globalsistersreport.org/news/equality/rwanda-one-good-deed-required-law-deserves-another-46366]

Source:Global Sisters Report

{ {{The writer is Melanie Lidman

She is a Middle East and Africa correspondent for Global Sisters Report based in Israel}}
}

May 2, 2017
Gatsibo: Two arrested over theft, drug trafficking

{Police in Gatsibo district are holding two men in connection with theft and drug trafficking.}

Inspector of Police (IP) Emmanuel Kayigi, the police spokesperson for the Eastern Province, identified the duo as Samuel Niyonsenga, 21, and Francois Murwanantambara, 25.

They were arrested separately during a normal police operations to crackdown on criminals conducted in collaboration with night patrol security in Kiziguro Sector, he said.

“Niyonsenga had stolen a bicycle and a mobile phone in Rwimiyaga Sector and went hiding here in Kiziguro where he was reported by the people, and arrested,”

Murwanantambara, on the other hand, was intercepted and reported by motorcyclists as he was trafficking Zebra waragi, an illicit gin banned in Rwanda.

The duo is now detained at Gatsibo police station.

He commended the role people play in fighting and preventing crimes through information sharing.

“The increasing responsibility of the public through community policing is an ideal tool to crime prevention and sustainable security,” IP Kayigi said.

Source:Police

May 2, 2017
Widespread vitamin D deficiency likely due to sunscreen use, increase of chronic diseases

{Results from a clinical review published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association find nearly 1 billion people worldwide may have deficient or insufficient levels of vitamin D due to chronic disease and inadequate sun exposure related to sunscreen use.}

The study also found that 95 percent of African American adults may have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Vitamin D variations among races are attributed to differences in skin pigmentation.

“People are spending less time outside and, when they do go out, they’re typically wearing sunscreen, which essentially nullifies the body’s ability to produce vitamin D,” said Kim Pfotenhauer, DO, assistant professor at Touro University and a researcher on this study. “While we want people to protect themselves against skin cancer, there are healthy, moderate levels of unprotected sun exposure that can be very helpful in boosting vitamin D.”

Dr. Pfotenhauer also said chronic diseases like Type 2 Diabetes and those related to malabsorption, including kidney disease, Crohn’s and celiac disease greatly inhibit the body’s ability to metabolize vitamin D from food sources.

Considered a hormone rather than a vitamin, vitamin D is produced when skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D receptors are found in virtually every cell in the human body. As a result, it plays a wide role in the body’s functions, including cell growth modulation, neuromuscular and immune function and inflammation reduction.

Symptoms for insufficient or deficient vitamin D include muscle weakness and bone fractures. People exhibiting these symptoms or who have chronic diseases known to decrease vitamin D, should have their levels checked and, if found to be low, discuss treatment options. However, universal screening is likely neither necessary nor prudent absent significant symptoms or chronic disease.

Increasing and maintaining healthy vitamin D levels can be as easy as spending 5-30 minutes in midday sun twice per week. The appropriate time depends on a person’s geographic location and skin pigmentation — lighter skin synthesizes more vitamin D than darker skin. It is important to forgo sunscreen during these sessions because SPF 15 or greater decreases vitamin D3 production by 99 percent.

“You don’t need to go sunbathing at the beach to get the benefits,” said Dr. Pfotenhauer. “A simple walk with arms and legs exposed is enough for most people.”

Food sources such as milk, breakfast cereals, and Portobello mushrooms are also fortified with vitamin D. Dr. Pfotenhauer said supplements are a good option, as they are effective and pose few risks, provided they are taken as directed and a physician is consulted beforehand.

Research is ongoing to determine whether vitamin D deficiency has a role in multiple sclerosis, autoimmune disorders, infections, respiratory disease, cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and fracture risk.

“Science has been trying to find a one-to-one correspondence between vitamin D levels and specific diseases,” said Dr. Pfotenhauer. “Given vitamin D’s ubiquitous role in the body, I believe sufficient vitamin D is more about overall health. Our job as osteopathic physicians is to recognize those patients that need to be tested and treat them accordingly.”

Currently, insufficiency is defined as between 21 and 30 ng/ml and deficiency is considered below 20ng/ml by the Endocrine Society.

Source:Science Daily

May 2, 2017
A transplant and a cure: Research team eradicates hepatitis C in 10 patients following lifesaving transplants from infected donors

{Study results point to potential for hundreds more transplants each year}

Ten patients at Penn Medicine have been cured of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) following lifesaving kidney transplants from deceased donors who were infected with the disease. The findings point to new strategies for increasing the supply of organs for the nation’s more than 97,000 patients who are awaiting kidney transplants — often for as many as five or more years.

In 2016, Penn Medicine launched an innovative clinical trial to test the effect of transplanting kidneys from donors with HCV into patients currently on the kidney transplant waitlist who do not have the virus, and who opt in to receive these otherwise unused organs. Recipients were then treated with an antiviral therapy in an effort to cure the virus. Early data from the study were presented today by David S. Goldberg, MD, MSCE, an assistant professor of Medicine and Epidemiology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, at the 2017 American Transplant Congress in Chicago, and were simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

“We started this trial in the hopes that, if successful, we could open up an entirely new pool of donor organs, and effectively transplant hundreds, if not thousands, more patients who are awaiting a lifesaving organ,” Goldberg said. “Historically, Hepatitis C-infected kidneys were often discarded, and were thought to be damaged or too ‘high-risk.’ Our pilot data demonstrate the ability to cure the contracted virus following transplantation in this patient population. If future studies are successful, this may be a viable option for patients who may otherwise never see a transplant.”

Goldberg, who co-led the study with Peter Reese, MD, MSCE, an assistant professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at Penn and chair of the Ethics Committee for the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS), approached and enrolled participants who relied on dialysis treatments to stand in for their damaged kidneys. Participants were between 40 and 65 years of age and had been waiting for a transplant for at least a year and a half. A three-step process of education and consent was used during pre-enrollment to ensure patients, and their loved ones were provided with a comprehensive understanding of the risks. Once enrolled, and as organs became available, the team performed HCV donor genotyping during the allocation process, selecting only kidneys that were considered “high quality.”

In the first phase of the study, to date, 10 patients have received transplants using the protocol. On average, patients received a transplant 58 days after enrolling in the trial — some in as quickly as 11 days, while others waited for over 100 days. At three days after surgery, patients were tested for HCV, and all 10 tested positive for the disease. Next, the participants were treated with the standard 12-week course of elbasvir/grazoprevir, commonly known as Zepatier, a recently-approved and highly effective oral medication prescribed to eradicate HCV. All 10 patients have been cured of their contracted HCV.

“For so long, HCV was a virus with a very negative stigma associated with it, especially among physicians. So it was interesting to see that patients were quick to jump at the chance to get this transplant, despite the possibility that they could get Hepatitis C permanently,” Reese said. “Going into the study, we knew it was a possibility that some or all of the patients would contract HCV, and that they could have the disease for the rest of their lives if we were unsuccessful. But for these patients, getting off of dialysis and getting back to their normal lives was very much worth the risk.”

Following the early positive results, the research team was granted an extension of their study, which will allow them to transplant and treat an additional 10 patients — 20 patients in total.

The research team is designing a new clinical trial that will study this same approach in patients who are heart transplant recipients, and in the future they hope to examine the efficacy of this approach in liver and lung transplants. Researchers note there is a need for longer and larger trials to continue evaluating the effectiveness of HCV-positive to HCV-negative transplantation followed by antiviral therapy in a broader population.

Source:Science Daily

May 2, 2017
Police warns against illegal dealing in inflammable products

{Rwanda National Police (RNP) has warned people against illegal dealings in inflammable products, which can result into a disaster and loss of lives.}

The warning follows the recent incident in Muhima, Nyarugenge District where inflammable products, particularly petrol and diesel that were being sold on black market, caused fire killing two children.

The parents sustained severe burns and currently under intensive medical care at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHIK).

“Inflammable liquids such as petrol, diesel and kerosene are strictly sold at petrol stations not in houses or elsewhere; operations are underway to arrest anyone running these dangerous black markets,” said Supt. Emmanuel Hitayezu, police spokesperson for the City of Kigali.

Meanwhile, during an operation conducted Sunday in Muhima against illegal sale of inflammable petroleum products, police seized about 50 litres of diesel, twelve empty jerrycans that were being used in the illegal business, and arrested two people in connection with the act.

“Many fire outbreaks occur because some people are unaware or careless when working with flammables.” he noted.

“There are people who buy and store petrol, diesel and paraffin in their home or near fire yet these are the most combustible liquids that can easily ignite fire” he said

He warned that operations will continue against such illegal and disastrous dealings, and appealed to the general public to join efforts against such by buying these products from petrol stations and report people involved in this black market.

Source:Police

May 2, 2017
3 key things people’s negativity can do to you

{Just as positivity comes with its own energy, negativity comes with its energy as well, and a negative energy can do a lot of negative things to you.}

When you let people with negative energy into your life, these are some of the things you are likely to suffer.

{{1. You’ll feel drained }}

A conversation with a negative minded person can suck the life out of you in less than an hour. For example, you have a conversation with a friend who always has something terrible to say about her marriage and never says anything positive – a 30 minute conversation with her will leave you drained mentally and emotionally.

{{2. You can’t be with them and be happy }}

While a positive conversation will make you happy, a negative conversation will make you unhappy. You can’t be deep into a negative conversation and be happy. So being with a negative minded person will kill your happiness if you give them the chance.

{{3. You might begin to lose your positivity }}

Before you know it, their negative energy will override your positive energy and you’ll start to complain, murmur and be bitter about life. It might not happen instantly, but little by little you will start having reasons to be unhappy, and you will stop seeing reasons to be grateful.

You have to be careful about the negative energy that comes close to you; it can affect you in many ways and the worst part of it is that it’ll ruin the positivity in your life.

Source:Elcrema

May 2, 2017
Rhinos return to Rwanda after ten-year decimation

{Eastern black rhinos are coming back to Rwanda after the last individual was documented in the country 10 years ago – a historic move for the nation and the species. }

African Parks, a conservation non-profit that manages national parks and protected areas on behalf of governments across the continent, in collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board and with funding provided by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, is translocating a founder population of up to 20 Eastern black rhinos to Akagera National Park in Rwanda from South Africa. This extraordinary homecoming will take place over the first two weeks of May. The People’s Postcode Lottery and the Dutch Government are also providing additional support to the project.

Back in the 1970s, more than 50 black rhinos thrived in Akagera National Park, but their numbers declined under the pressure of wide-scale poaching until the last confirmed sighting of the species in 2007. The park, which is a protected savannah habitat in Rwanda, has undergone a remarkable transformation since African Parks assumed management in 2010 in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board.

“Rhinos are one of the great symbols of Africa yet they are severely threatened and are on the decline in many places across the continent due to the extremely lucrative and illegal rhino horn trade,” said African Parks CEO Peter Fearnhead. “The rhino’s return to this country however is a testament to Rwanda’s extraordinary commitment to conservation and is another milestone in the restoration of Akagera’s natural diversity.”

Since 2010, African Parks has overhauled law enforcement in the park, reducing poaching to an all-time low in six years and today the park is flourishing. Seven lions were successfully reintroduced in 2015, whose population has since more than doubled. Security measures have been implemented specifically to ensure the safety and well-being of the rhinos once in the park. This includes an expertly-trained rhino tracking and protection team, a canine anti-poaching unit, and the deployment of a helicopter for critical air surveillance to enhance protection of the park – all made possible with funding provided by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.

“The return of the rhinos to Rwanda’s Akagera National Park opens a new chapter in our conservation journey and we are grateful to all our partners that contributed to this achievement. We are fully prepared to welcome them and ensure their safety for the benefit of our tourism industry and the community at large. We couldn’t be more excited for their return,” said Clare Akamanzi CEO- Rwanda Development Board.

“Several years ago, as we were struggling to have success combating rhino poaching in other parts of Africa, I made a commitment to President Kagame that we would support the reintroduction of rhinos in Rwanda because we knew this country would protect them,” said Howard G. Buffett, Chairman and CEO of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. “Today marks another milestone in Rwanda’s emerging leadership on the continent in conservation, eco-tourism and most importantly, good governance.”

With fewer than 5,000 black rhino remaining across their range in the wild, of which approximately 1,000 are the Eastern black rhino subspecies, this reintroduction is an urgent, progressive, and valuable opportunity for their conservation, and serves as a story of hope for the species.

May 2, 2017
Murekezi urges on fast tracking Made in Rwanda, self-sufficiency

{Rwanda has joined the rest of the world to celebrate International Labor Day in ceremonies that took place in Special Economic Zone. The Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi who presided over the ceremony has said that Rwanda’s policies of emphasizing vocational education in TVET schools will act as deliberate solution in addressing the issue of joblessness. }

The ceremony has been attended by top government officials including ministers and Kigali city mayor.

Premier Murekezi has requested investors to produce high quality products competitive at international market other than expecting such products from outside.

“People with strength to work must stand and work hard with commitment. They have to properly execute their work to make self-progress and the country in general. This will help us to achieve the performance contract of becoming self-sufficient in Made in Rwanda products,” he said.

He noted that a lot has been achieved but stressed the need of focusing on creation of new jobs.

Statistics indicate that 9% of city dwellers are jobless while 14% among university graduates remain unemployed but promising to be reduced over expected school curricula putting emphasis on vocational training that will have a direct bearing on job creation.

May 2, 2017
Sri Lanka navy detains suspected Rohingya refugees

{Navy announces detention of 32 people, half of them children, believed to be Rohingya refugees and two smugglers.}

Sri Lanka’s navy has arrested 32 people suspected of being Rohingya refugees and their Indian traffickers off the country’s northern coast.

Chaminda Walakuluge, a navy spokesman, said a coastguard patrol observed the boat entering Sri Lankan waters on Sunday.

The 30 passengers from Myanmar included 16 children, among them a baby just 15 days old and a four-month-old child.

The two Indians were suspected of being their traffickers.

Walakuluge said the suspects had been handed over to police for further inquiries.

Tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar’s Rakhine state since the military began a security operation last October in response to what it says was an attack by Rohingya armed men on border posts, in which nine police officers were killed.

Last month Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s leader, denied reports saying security forces carried out ethnic cleansing of the country’s Rohingya Muslims, despite the United Nations and human rights groups saying a crackdown by the army may amount to crimes against humanity.

Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel peace laureate whose international star as a rights defender is waning over the treatment of the Rohingya, has not condemned the crackdown and has not spoken out in defence of the persecuted minority.

Instead, she has called for space to handle the issue in a country where the more than one million Rohingya are not recognised as an ethnic minority and widely vilified as “illegal” immigrants from Bangladesh – even though many have lived in Buddhist-majority Myanmar for generations.

A UN report released in February said the army’s campaign targeting the Rohingya involved mass killings, gang rapes and the burning down of villages, likely amounting to crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.

In neighbouring Bangladesh, where more than 75,000 Rohingya have fled to escape the crackdown, people have recounted grisly accounts of horrendous army abuse, including soldiers allegedly executing an eight-month-old baby while his mother was gang-raped by five security officers.

“What kind of hatred could make a man stab a baby crying out for his mother’s milk,” Zeid Raad al-Hussein, the UN rights chief, said in a statement at the time.

“What kind of ‘clearance operation’ is this? What national security goals could possibly be served by this?”

Source:Al Jazeera

May 1, 2017