Convict appeals for medical aid outside jail

Counsel says prisoner Rusram Baloch suffers from heart and kidney disorders.

KARACHI: A division bench of the Sindh High Court, headed by Chief Justice Mushir Alam, held the state responsible for providing medical facilities to people, especially prisoners.

The bench was hearing a petition seeking medical facilities for a convict, Rusram Baloch, sentenced to life imprisonment. Baloch, who has been behind bars since 2003, is believed to be a member of Arshad Pappu’s gang in Lyari.

His lawyer, Syeda Zubaida, submitted that Baloch suffered from various diseases during his confinement, such as heart and kidney disorders. There was no MRI at the prison hospital, said Zubaida, adding that the prison’s chief medical officers had repeatedly suggested for Baloch to get his treatment from a hospital outside the prisons.

Zubaida contended that since the client’s appeal was pending before the Supreme Court since 2006, the prison authorities were bound by duty to provide medical treatment. Karachi Central Jail’s Superintendent also testified that there was no MRI at the prison hospital.

On the other hand, Additional Advocate General Meeran Muhammad Shah shared his concerns that Baloch was a high-profile criminal who could be attacked by his own group or the rival party. He opposed the suggestion of shifting him to civil hospital for treatment.

He, however, requested the court to issue direction for Baloch’s treatment at the Liaquat National Hospital which had enough security and an MRI. The court hoped that the needful would be done before the next hearing, the date for which will be fixed by the office.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2012.