On the day of the Myanmar junta’s meeting of the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC), just ahead of the two-year anniversary of the coup, Second Vice President Henry Van Thio was rushed to Naypyitaw General Hospital with a head and neck injury, according to sources close to Naypyitaw.  

Van Thio, who worked as Vice President under the former National League for Democracy-led government and now the junta, arrived at the emergency department of the hospital on 31 January at around 11 am and was receiving medical treatment, according to the sources and local news outlets. At the time of the reporting, it is learnt that his situation was not life-threatening. 

An eye-witness said that there were many police cars in the hospital compound in the afternoon on Tuesday. 

Van Thio, 64, was set to attend an NDSC meeting scheduled for 31 January. However, the junta stated that he was unable to attend due to health issues.  

A source said that the Vice President had slipped at home, adding that he suffered cuts to his head and neck. At the time of reporting, the details of the incident were not known. 

The incident coincided with the NDSC meeting, so some political analysts doubted the news that Van Thio slipped at home.  

The NDSC, an eleven-member national security council, consist of the following individuals: (1) President (2) First Vice-President (3) Second Vice-President (4) Pyithu Hluttaw [Lower House] Speaker (5) Amyotha Hluttaw [Upper House] Speaker, (6) Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar military, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the military, Defence Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister, Home Affairs Minister and Border Affairs Minister.  

At the NDSC meeting, the junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, informed the Acting President, Myint Swe, that the situation in Myanmar is still abnormal, according to junta-controlled media. 

The junta leader said that the National Unity Government, the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and People's Defense Forces are terrorizing the country. 

The meeting was attended by junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, second military leader Soe Win, Acting President Myint Swe, Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Ti Khun Myat, Defense Minister Mya Tun Oo, Home Affairs Minister Soe Htut, Foreign Affairs Minister Wunna Maung Lwin, Border Affairs Minister Tun Tun Naung, Military Council Secretary Aung Lin Dwe, Joint Secretary Ye Win Oo and Dr Thida Oo, Legal Affairs Minister and Union Attorney-General.  

The main decisions of the NDSC are expected to be released on 1 February, the second anniversary of the military coup, according to political analysts.