Activists call for better healthcare in Myanmar's prisons, citing preventable deaths

By Admin 23 Jul 2025

DMG Newsroom

22 July 2025, Sittwe

The Political Prisoners Network - Myanmar (PPNM) released a statement on July 22 calling for full healthcare for prisoners in prisons across the country to prevent further deaths attributed to poor health conditions.

PPNM has been campaigning since December 2023 to prevent prisoners from dying from health problems in prison, and is urging the public to join the campaign.

PPNM is demanding that prison authorities fully accept and deliver medicines brought by family members to prisoners; that emergency patients and those suffering from chronic illnesses be transported to external hospitals in a timely manner; and that prison healthcare and medicines be adequately provided.

The statement also said that while PPNM is making such demands, political prisoners and other detainees in prison are dying one by one.

Prisoner deaths are increasing due to inadequate healthcare in prisons across the country, PPNM warns.

On July 20, Ma Wut Yi Aung, an executive member of the Dagon University Students' Union (DUSU), died after suffering severe injuries sustained during interrogation and inadequate medical treatment while detained.

According to PPNM data, at least 13 political prisoners died in prison in 2025 due to lack of adequate healthcare.

The Prison Manual stipulates that every inmate has the right to receive appropriate healthcare while incarcerated and is entitled to a prison visit once a week.

However, prisoners face various human rights violations, including inadequate access to medical care, restrictions on medication provided by family members, torture, and sexual violence.