Bribes of 1 to 1.5 million kyat demanded for outside hospitalisation in Kalay prison, PPNM says

Mizzima

In Kalay Prison, Sagaing Region, inmates must pay bribes ranging from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 MMK (10 to 15 lakhs) to prison staff and authorities to obtain permission for outside hospitalisation, according to a statement released 24 September by the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM).

PPNM stated that during a medical examination conducted inside the prison by specialist physicians from the Kalay Public General Hospital, it was confirmed that 80 prisoners were in urgent need of outside hospitalisation and medical treatment.

Among them, 50 were political prisoners (both male and female). However, only nine inmates have currently been allowed outside hospitalisation, and only four of them are political prisoners, according to the PPNM’s statement.

“Getting admitted to the hospital is like winning the lottery; it is a real privilege. Medical treatment is not accessible to everyone. Only those whose families can afford to follow up, make visits, and pay money are granted hospitalisation,” a family member of a political prisoner told Mizzima.

The family member added that if they cannot afford to pay, they are only sent outside for medical care when they are on the verge of death. Some die on the way before reaching the hospital, while others pass away shortly after arrival at their homes.

There are also cases where inmates simply endure their illnesses inside the prison to survive, only seeking medical treatment after being released, according to the family member.

It is reported that while some inmates entered the prison with pre-existing conditions, others have developed long-term health issues due to poor living conditions and malnutrition within the correctional facility over time.

Despite the urgent need for emergency medical care, the allocated medical budget is reportedly only 1,000,000 MMK per month for 1,000 prisoners – averaging just 1,000 MMK (approx. $0.30 USD) per prisoner.

PPNM stated that apart from basic medicines like Paracetamol and Cevit (Vitamin C), there is a severe shortage of pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, emergency oxygen and supportive medical equipment required for critically ill patients are non-existent.

PPNM pointed out that a criminal inmate aged between 25 and 30 recently died of asphyxiation upon arrival at an outside hospital due to a lack of oxygen support.

There are many inmates in Kalay Prison suffering from heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Their families are forced to bear the out-of-pocket costs for their medical treatment and purchasing prescription drugs.

The PPNM statement detailed that bribes ranging from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 MMK must be paid through various levels of the prison hierarchy – starting from regular prison staff up to authorities such as the Prison Superintendent (Assistant Director), Deputy Superintendent, Prison Hospital medical superintendent, and respective ward wardens – to obtain outside hospital referral.

Additionally, PPNM noted that inmates from distant regions face even greater hardships in covering food and medical expenses if they are admitted to outside hospitals.

PPNM also alleged that some businesspeople and criminal convicts serving sentences under Section 19(a) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law are abusing the referral procedures, which require higher authority approval. These individuals, despite having no illnesses, bribe their way into being accommodated at outside hospitals.

Meanwhile, political prisoners who cannot afford bribes are often dragged back to prison before fully recovering, and some have to wait for one to two years without receiving any medical treatment at all.

According to a friend, Salai Van Ceo Thawng (32), who was imprisoned on political charges in Kalay Prison and denied medical treatment inside, passed away from cancer on September 13, less than a year after his release.

Furthermore, PPNM stated that Soe Moe Naing (aka) Soe Naing (aka) Dein Daung (60), a political prisoner detained in Myingyan Prison, Mandalay Region, passed away on September 15 at 11:30 AM due to the denial of emergency medical treatment inside the prison.

PPNM stated that the respective prison authorities and the Correctional Department are fully responsible for acts of denying medical treatment and demanding bribes while ignoring the lives of political prisoners. PPNM added that they will continue efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for these violations.