Moved NHRC, but no response, says NPRD

HYDERABAD: The National Platform for Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) expresses its serious concern at the deteriorating health of Prof G N Saibaba, a person living with 90 per cent disability. He is in solitary confinement in the infamous anda cell at Nagpur Central Jail. It is deplorable that despite his multiple medical problems, jail authorities have refused to shift him to a hospital.

Apart from polio, which has affected both of his legs, there have been progressive and incurable conditions of his spine and nervous system. Use of one of his arms has also been hampered. Additionally, in February 2017, Prof Saibaba was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and gall bladder-stones. Doctors had suggested an immediate surgery but even after ten months, Saibaba continues to suffer unbearable pain as authorities refuse to admit him to a hospital for surgery.

His wife, Vasantha, who met him recently, said that the essential medicines that she hands over to the authorities for his ailments are not administered to him. He has 19 medical conditions for which he was undergoing treatment earlier. Due to this wilful neglect and denial of access to medicines, he has undergone blackouts frequently. Though winter has set in, he is denied of winter clothing.

These actions are violative of his right to life, dignity, equality, protection from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and right to health. Furthermore, India is a signatory to International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and UN Resolution 70/175 on Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, all of which reaffirm the right to life with dignity of prisoners. NPRD had petitioned National Human Rights Commission, thrice on this issue, but there has been no response.