Former Arakan State chief allowed cataract surgery

By Admin 01 Jul 2023

DMG Newsroom
1 July 2023, Sittwe

Former Arakan State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison by Myanmar’s military regime, has undergone long-sought surgery for cataracts after the junta had previously denied him treatment despite repeated requests from U Nyi Pu himself and family members.

U Nyi Pu was transferred from Sittwe Prison to Insein Prison in Yangon, and underwent surgeries at an eye specialist hospital in Tamwe Township on May 25 and June 16 at the arrangement of the regime, said U Nyi Pu’s daughter Daw Kyi Kyi Oo.

“The surgery was late for his left eye, and he still suffers from blurred vision. His right eye has been restored to normal vision after the surgery,” said Daw Kyi Kyi.

U Nyi Pu previously had a left eye cataract, but as he could not receive medical treatment in time, the right eye also developed the same problem and he needed to have surgery for both.

For the past six months, family members had requested treatment repeatedly before the regime granted the request.

“We want [the regime] to provide healthcare services to other inmates,” said Daw Kyi Kyi Oo.

Family members had not been allowed to visit the former Arakan State chief minister since his arrest. They were allowed for the first time to meet him during his surgeries. Family members do not know if he is still being kept in Insein Prison or has been sent back to Sittwe Prison.

Many residents in Arakan State who are behind bars or on trial for political charges are sick, and need medical treatment.

U Aung Kyaw Hla, the administrator of Okkar Pyan Ward in Minbya Township, is sick as his right arm with a steel implant is oozing, said family members.

“He has been allowed to receive treatment at Minbya Hospital. But he doesn’t seem to be OK, and we want to take him to a bone specialist in Sittwe. We have sought permission [from the regime], but they have not granted it yet,” said a family member of U Aung Kyaw Hla.

U Aung Kyaw Hla was arrested in the latest fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) last year, and was charged under Unlawful Association Act for allegedly having ties to the Arakanese ethnic armed group.

Around 50 people were arrested and charged under Unlawful Associations Act and/or incitement during the latest period of fighting between the two sides from August to late November of last year.

The country’s Prison Manual guarantees appropriate healthcare services for inmates during imprisonment and family visit once a week, but both criminal and political prisoners have been denied those rights under military rule.