Both helicopter and boat services are suspended during inclement weather, a common occurrence in the Bay of Bengal. 142 In many cases, refugees are required to pay for this transportation. For most, this is impossible, particularly considering the lack of livelihood opportunities on the island. One refugee who visited the island during the September 2020 “go and see” visit expressed concern over the capacity for emergency medical care: “If anyone becomes critically ill, the closest option is a hospital that is a minimum three-hour journey by boat,” he said. “I don’t think Bangladesh authorities will arrange a military chopper for the Rohingya all the time,” he said. “We can also fall ill in the [Cox’s Bazar] camps but at least there are health facilities.” 143 Lack of Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Refugees report that sexual and reproductive health care on the island is particularly lacking. 144 There are no obstetricians or gynecologists. Many women said they do not have access to proper sanitary supplies to maintain safe menstrual hygiene. Hazera said: “When we arrived here, on the third day we were given sanitary pads. We have not received them again. It’s already three months we are on this island.” 145 Sonjida, who was pregnant, said: While we were at the camps, we used to get good medical treatment at the MSF hospital and the Turkish hospital. But here, I have been to the doctors more than six times, but did not get proper treatment. A few days back I fainted but I could not get to any doctor. I am eight-months’ pregnant. The nearest health facility is too far for me to walk there. 146 142 Soutik Biswas, “Amphan: Why Bay of Bengal is the World’s Hotbed of Tropical Cyclones,” BBC, May 19, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-52718531 (accessed April 27, 2021). 143 Human Rights Watch interview Abul Soma, Cox’s Bazar, September 10, 2020. 144 See ICESCR, article 12(2)(a); CESCR General Comment No. 14: The Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health (Art. 12), para. 14. Authoritative interpretations of international human rights law have recognized the link that exists between accessing reproductive health care, including abortion, and the rights to health, bodily integrity, nondiscrimination and equality, privacy, information, and the right to decide on the number and spacing of children. 145 Human Rights Watch interview with Hazera, Bhasan Char, Bangladesh, March 27, 2021. 146 Human Rights Watch interview with Sonjida, Bhasan Char, Bangladesh, February 18, 2021. “AN ISLAND JAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA” 44