Suu Kyi unwell after trip to US and UK

Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been forced to take rest after falling sick during a state trip abroad, her office said on Monday. The 71-year-old was diagnosed with gastritis after returning from a visit to Britain and the US, her first trip to her Western allies since taking office in March.

Pictures of her being pushed through Yangon airport in a wheelchair posted on social media sparked concern about the Nobel Laureate’s health and quickly went viral.

“She feels weak as she did not have much time to rest during the trip,” her office said in a statement.

“She has a stomach ache as she did not have time to have regular meals,” it added, adding that she “just needs to rest for a while”. 

Suu Kyi’s health has long been a topic of speculation in Myanmar, where she is deeply revered after decades leading the struggle against the former military junta.