No command had been given to be real doctors
- 5.03.2012, 12:50
Zmitser Bandarenka was denied to be admitted to the medical unit of the prison for a long time, though he had fever. It caused arthritis.
Charter97.org website has been unformed about that by his wife Volha, who had received letters from her husband, “European Belarus” civil campaign coordinator Zmitser Bandarenka.
On February 22 Zmitser Bandarenka wrote he had a cold.
On February 23 he wrote: “It was a hard day today. We had a monthly check-up. I had a fever at night, I think my temperature was about 390 C. My body was aching, my head was aching, I had a sore throat and running nose. In the morning I came to my doctor. I had a temperature of 37.50 C (as it is usually lower in the morning – A note of charter97.org). I was given an injection, antibiotics and Ibuprofen were prescribed to me. I asked: “Can I stay in bed for some time today?” (Being admitted to the medical unit is out of question there). “No, Bandarenka, do not bargain,” they said. Am I a pretender? I feel lousy, when I see disgusting behaviour of people who are not so bad in general. You say I should go to the medical unit, but I cannot see their cowardice. It is a usual attitude to most prisoners.”
Next day Bandarenka felt really bad and I went to the medical unit urgently, to check the temperature.
“It turned out I had a temperature of 38.4 0 C. I was given an injection and said I should visit a general practitioner the next day. I think I had a temperature about 400 C then. I put on everything I had, even your wonderful mittens. In the morning dragged myself to the medical unit. I was admitted there for three days. I was given an injection of some strong antibiotic once a day, and given a pill.”
On February 27 the political prisoner was diagnosed “Reiter disease of the left ankle-joint.”
“It is an inflammation of joints. I was told that such a complication can occur after fever,” Bandarenka wrote.
We remind that on March 2 an inter-departamental commission of scientific experts had a session. Among other things, they were to discuss an issue of giving a disability status certificate for Zmitser Bandarenka. The results of the meeting are unknown yet.
“I do not expect anything good. It is the same as to wait for positive results in response to a cassation appeal. Zmitser should have been given a disability status long ago after he had a spine surgery and serious complications. I am filled with horror at what is going on, when I read these letters. I cannot imagine how he is bearing constant aches. I am asking myself all the time: why he, the only person sentenced to imprisonment under article 342 of the Criminal Code, was not commuted sentence after he served one third of the term, and then after one half? And besides, he is seriously ill. Many say that not a long term is left for him, but I am terrified when I imagine even one day with constant aches, and in addition when he has cold and not offered treatment. I cannot imagine how he bears all that, and still stays positive and resourceful, as I can judge by his phone calls and letter,” Volha Bandarenka said to charter97.org.