MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE - P. UTHAYAKUMAR

Media Statement 08/04/2008
MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE - P. UTHAYAKUMAR

KAMUNTING PRISON DIRECTOR DELIBERATELY REFUSING MEDICATION TO P.UTHAYAKUMAR - ENDANGERING HIS LIFE.

P. Uthayakumar is a diabetic and has been for the past 12 years.
His medication amongst others includes Glucophage (850mg) and Diamicron.
He is now admitted at the Taiping General Hospital,Perak Malaysia for the below stated reasons:

- Sugar level at 18.8 , being three times more than the normal level of 6. This medically, is a dangerous situation and combined with other factors can cause serious harm.

- Protein and Uric acid levels, also very high.

For the past month or so P.Uthayakumar had not been given the medication above although it was prescribed by doctors.

P. Uthayakumar being a diabetic is not provided with a diabetic diet. He has no choice but to consume normal meals at the prison. The food prepared at the prison is quite often ‘Malay style’ and contains sugar.

He had made 6 written attempts to see the Director of Taiping Prison (Kem Tar) , about his much needed medication. However the Director did not reply nor did he make any attempts to see him.

Further, attempts to provide the above medicine to P.Uthayakumar, by his lawyers and family was prohibited by the Prison authorities.

On our visit to the hospital on 07/04/08, at 9pm, P.Uthayakumar looked very fragile and weak. He was hand-cuffed to the bed. We were informed that he was not on any particular diabetic diet and was still being given rice for meals.

We demand from the Director of Prison, Taiping (Kem Tar) and the relevant Government Authorities an explanation as to why P.Uthayakumar was not given his medication despite it being prescribed by the doctors and despite his 6 attempts to see the Director of Prisons.

This is violation of his inherent right for medical treatment.

The above media statement was released at a Press Conference called by Lawyers Surendran and Manohar acting for Mr. P. Uthayakumar and his fiancée Ms Indra at Ms Kumar Hashimah & Co Kuala Lumpur 8.4.08 at 2.00 pm

P. Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF
Currently in London