U Nyi Pu, the former Prime Minister of Rakhine State, who was handed a lengthy prison sentence by the Military Council, has received permission for cataract surgery, family members revealed.
According to U Nyi Pu's daughter, Daw Kyi Kyi Oo, he was transferred from Sittwe Prison to Insein Prison and underwent surgery at an eye specialist hospital in Tamwe Township as scheduled by the Military Council. The surgeries took place on May 25 and June 16.
"The left eye isn't as good as it used to be due to the delayed treatment, resulting in continued blurry vision. The right eye has fully recovered and returned to normal. I am relieved that the surgery was granted," she said.
Additionally, Daw Kyi Kyi Oo mentioned that initially, U Nyi Pu had cataracts only in his left eye. However, due to a lack of timely medical treatment, the infection spread to his right eye, necessitating surgery on both eyes.
After being arrested following the military coup, U Nyi Pu was handed a 13-year prison sentence, divided into three sections. During his imprisonment, his cataract condition deteriorated, prompting his family members to repeatedly request medical treatment for him. After approximately six months, he was granted permission to undergo cataract surgery.
Daw Kyi Kyi Oo expressed, "I wish for healthcare to be provided to the remaining incarcerated individuals."
Since his arrest, U Nyi Pu, the former Prime Minister of Rakhine State, has been deprived of the opportunity to meet his family members. However, during his eye treatment, he now has the chance to see them for the first time. Family members have expressed that they were unaware of the specific prison where he was held after receiving medical treatment.
In Rakhine State, a significant number of individuals who have been charged with political offenses and have been incarcerated for an extended period are facing poor health conditions and are in need of medical treatment.
U Aung Kyaw Hla, the administrator of Okkar Pyan Ward, Minbya Township, is experiencing poor health due to an abscess on his right hand, which contains a steel implant, according to family members.
A family member of U Aung Kyaw Hla conveyed, "At Minbya Hospital, he was granted medical treatment. However, given the severity of his condition, he wished to consult an orthopedic specialist in Sittwe at least once. We also sought permission for this particular treatment, but it was denied."
U Aung Kyaw Hla was taken into custody during the resurgent battle of 2022 and subsequently charged under Section 17-1, 2 of the Unlawful Association Act on suspicion of having affiliations with the Arakan Army (AA).
As per the compiled list by DMG, approximately 50 individuals have been charged under the Unlawful Association Act and the Penal Code. They were arrested on suspicion of having links with the Arakan Army (AA) during the resurgent battle in Rakhine.
According to the prison manual, every prisoner has the right to receive suitable healthcare while in prison and is entitled to request visitation once a week. However, in the case of individuals charged and imprisoned in Myanmar, they are deprived of these rights as stated in the prison manual.
