Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email I think the trip to IJN should be informed to his next-of-kin in case any complications arise. Interesting to note that there was a medical examination prior to detention term. Does it include heart condition and diabetes? Then, a comparison can be done on Uthaya’s before and after condition.
ISA detainees not deprived of medical treatment
By : Annie Freeda Cruez
source
KUALA LUMPUR, Fri:
No prisoners, including Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee P. Uthayakumar, had been deprived of medical treatment while under detention. The Prisons Department said it provided all prisoners and detainees access to a 24 hour medical service by a medical assistant and the prisons’ panel doctor. It had also upgraded its healthcare facilities to ensure that the prisoners and detainees were given the best care and treatment. The department also said all prisoners and detainees had to undergo a medical examination before they start their term.
It also said that inmates were not allowed to bring in medicines but whatever medication they required were supplied or given by doctors who treat them. “Those who need to go to a hospital is sent immediately irrespective of the time,” it said in a statement to clarify several reports which said Uthayakumar was barred from medical examination, treatment and medicine for his illness at the Kamunting detention centre in Taiping.
Uthayakumar is one of four detained under ISA since Dec 13 for his link to the Hindraf rally on Nov 25 last year. The four others were M. Manoharan, V. Ganabatirau, K. Vasantha Kumar and R. Kengadharan.
The department said as at April 14, Uthayakumar was given treatment and provided with the necessary medications at least 10 times from a hospital and a government clinic outside the detention centre. He had earlier declined medication supplied by the Taiping Hospital as he wanted to take the medicines given by his family. This was not allowed according to Prison procedures. However, Uthayakumar started taking the medication supplied to him by the hospital after a medical officer came to the detention centre and explained to him on the drugs given to him. “This had never happened before to any inmates,” the department said.
Early this month, the department said a directive was issued by the Home Minister to allow Uthayakumar to go to Penang Hospital and the National Heart Institute to be examined by specialists. “Initially, he did not want to go to Penang Hospital but chose IJN instead. After the department secured approval for him to go to IJN, he decided against it after his application to meet his family and lawyer during the time outside the ISA regulation was not considered,” it added.
Uthayakumar given medical treatment 10 times
May 16, 08 6:44pmhttp://malaysiakini.com/news/83012
Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Uthayakumar received medical treatment 10 times until April 14 at government hospitals and clinics since being detained at the Kamunting detention centre in Taiping last November. According to Bernama, the Prisons Department in a statement said he was also supplied with various types of medicine for his diabetic condition.
The department issued the statement in response to allegations from some quarters that he was being denied proper medical treatment.
It said early this month, the home minister had also given permission for Uthayakumar to be brought to the Penang Hospital and the National Heart Institute to undergo health checks by experts. However, the department said Uthayakumar declined to go because his requests for family and lawyer visitations during the hospital visits were denied.
It said permission for him to receive medicine from family members for his ailment were also denied because of the detention regulations, as this could compromise his health and safety. It further added that the public need not worry about healthcare for ISA detainees as there were ample provisions for this under the detention regulations.
In view of this, the department asked all parties to cease making unfounded and baseless accusations that Uthayakumar was being denied proper medical treatment.
