After the demonstration at Kufr Qaddum yesterday we joined ISM activists for a visit to former Palestinian prisoner in Nablus hospital. Amal Jumaa belonged to Fatah’s armed wing and was sentenced to eleven years of which she served nine. She was released three weeks ago during the deal Hamas and Israel reached on Oct. 11 for the prisoners swap.
Amal gained a lot of publicity and media attention after going on a hunger strike two days ago. She took this decision after the Palestinian Authority failed to provide her with any appropriate treatment for her cancer of the uterus condition. More information about this can be found at: http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=435876
The history of Amal’s neglected health condition goes much further back though, to the time she was imprisoned. She was diagnosed with cancer of the uterus back in 2004 and her condition went about neglected while she was in both Ramleh and HaSharon prisons for whole six years. We asked if she was given anything after she had been diagnosed. “Water”, was her reply. And some light pain-killers similar to Panadol. As her condition became graver, she was administered some drops too. They had strong side effects such as constant drowsiness and what was described as fits of madness: pulling her hair, yelling. The director of the prison declared she was fine. Amal’s inmate decided to prove that her behavior was due to side-effects from the drops and she started taking them herself; her behavior got bizarre in the same way and she slept through her days as well. A hunger strike was started by other female inmates in the same prison asking for Amal to be treated. It lasted for 4 weeks and 4 days. Amal was finally taken to a hospital in Haifa and was operated. This was in the year of 2010. She was handcuffed the whole time while in hospital and was allowed no visits at all, included by the Red Cross. After the operation she got transferred to Damun prison. Her condition wasn't any better and a profound bleeding was added to it now. Once again she was not treated and was drugged instead. Amal started sending letters to friends and media asking for help from outside. The PA Ministry of Prisoners’ Affairs provided her with 4000 shekels for 4 months so she could buy pads to take care of the bleeding.
Amal was released among 27 female prisoners in the deal with Gilad. Fifteen days ago she collapsed and was taken to the hospital in Nablus. Even after freedom had been granted to her, she still had to resort to hunger strike to receive her right to a proper treatment. Now the President himself is making sure she is to be sent to a hospital abroad where she can receive the necessary treatment after the many years of neglect in prison. There have been delays in her travel due to the days off because of the Eid and delays in her having a passport issued to travel. A report from a hospital in Amman will determine the location she is to be taken to one of these days – it could be in Jordan or somewhere in Europe.
Amal was visibly tired during our visit. Most of her story was related to us by a friend of hers, she herself had no voice to speak and was constantly slipping into drowsiness. All of her upper front teeth have been taken out during her imprisonment and she showed us where they used to be in her mouth. She managed to stand up and shake our hands when we walked in and also pose for a picture with us. I hope she is on her way to a hospital where she can finally be helped now... This is the sole "hope" after all the injustices done to someone named "Hope" (Amal in Arabic).
This is unbeliavable!
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