Mon State — Relatives and family members of political prisoners have reported to Than Lwin Times that detainees are falling ill in Kyaikmaraw Central Prison Mon State, as a result of the current seasonal change in the weather. They have very limited if any access to medicine.
Seasonal changes have led to the illness of many political prisoners suffering symptoms such as runny noses, coughs, heat rashes, and due to their use of unclean water, there are also outbreaks of itchy skin conditions among them.
When family members try to send western medicine to political prisoners who are unwell, prison staff under the Military Council often obstruct these deliveries, and Myanmar medicines are only accepted on a restricted basis.
"Donations of foreign medicine from external sources are prohibited. Therefore they request Myanmar medicine from their families. However Myanmar medicine cannot be in glass bottles; and it must be transferred to plastic bottles. For medicines originally packaged in plastic bottles, they are allowed to have two bottles. In the case of minor illnesses, they rely on Myanmar medicines sent from their homes. It's a fraught situation, as there is no access to medical treatment within the prison," explained a family member.
Furthermore, individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure are grappling with obstacles as they are denied access to foreign medicines necessary for long-term treatment. The prison authorities only provide paracetamol and burmeton, if they are informed about these illnesses, which adds to their difficulties, he added.
In accordance with Chapter 8, Sections 37, 38, and 39 of the Prison Manual Law, prisoners are mandated to receive appropriate healthcare. However under the Military Council's administration, access to healthcare has been severely curtailed.
Former political prisoners have noted the existence of a prison hospital within the facility. However they report that visits from prison doctors are infrequent. As a result, when prisoners fall ill, they must often rely on medicines they share among themselves for self-treatment.
Family members of political prisoners, who have been stopped from delivering food for the past few months, are now facing restrictions on delivering medicine as well. This has raised concerns among their families about the deteriorating health of their loved ones in prison.
According to individuals aiding political prisoners, a political prisoner passed away in Zaymathwe Prison, Thaton Township, Mon State in the last few days due to the lack of access to healthcare.
