Nauru's Dabwido experiencing more heart trouble

Transcript

MATHEW BATSUIA: He drove himself to the hospital after experiencing some chest pain and while at the hospital he collapsed. Luckily he was assisted and helped by doctors and nurses there. I was there just after he regained consciousness and spoke with him. He is very sick, very ill, and he needs to go overseas and see a cardiologist for further tests and possibly heart surgery.

DON WISEMAN: That path has been blocked. His passport has been cancelled, hasn't it? So is there any sign at all of the government relenting?

MB: Look Sprent Dabwido continues to be targeted and victimised by the government. As you said Minister [David] Adeang has cancelled his passport, preventing him from travelling overseas for urgent medical attention . You know Sprent has been sick for quite some time and six months ago he was recommended by a specialist physician for referral overseas to see a cardiologist for further tests and possible heart surgery. That recommendation for some reason was rejected, it didn't occur. So his condition has gotten worse, so a few weeks ago he decided not to rely on the government referral programme anymore and instead seek his own treatment privately. So he applied to the courts to amend his bail to allow his travel. This was opposed by the government, so argument was put forward in the court by both sides. The court heard the arguments - the government's reasons for opposing his travel, the heard from Sprent's lawyers and they heard from his treating doctors on his medical condition and basically ruled in favour of Sprent, acknowledging that his condition was very serious and therefor his travel to obtain necessary treatment was absolutely crucial. But unfortunately, despite this ruling the government, and in particular Minister Adeang, retaliated by cancelling his passport. So that when Sprent went to the airport to check in for his flight to go and receive his treatment, he was told that the minister had just cancelled his passport, to prevent him from travelling. This was after the ruling of the court. I mean it is critical for Sprent to go overseas to receive this treatment. So he continues to be targeted and victimised and yesterday [wednesday] I was very concerned. I spoke to his doctors yesterday and said they should just review his situation and see whether or not they can support his referral because it is just obvious to me that he needs to be seen by a cardiologist so they can do some tests and see whether or not he needs urgent surgery.

DW: The Waqa/Adeang administration must be very concerned though at the possibility that someone they have treated so badly, could, as a result of their actions, end up dying. Because that is the possibility isn't it?

MB: That's the possibility that faces them. You can only appeal to their common sense, I mean this is a long serving former member of parliament. He served his constituents for 12 years. He has also been is also a former president - he served as president for nearly two years, but apart from being a public servant in very high office, he is first and foremost a Nauruan, and he should be treated equally by the Government. He is entitled for certain programmes that he can access, so he can receive his medical treatment - he should be given those and not be targeted and victimised because of political differences in the past. So they should just do the right thing because Sprent is very sick and he needs to go overseas, see a cardiologist and get the treatment he requires.