Monday, April 06, 2015

Mumia Abu-Jamal Health Action Alert
This morning, Monday April 6th, another visit with Mumia will be attempted so that his family and supporters can check on his condition. Mumia was visited on Friday and he is still in medical danger. His blood sugar levels are not stable, shooting up to 300 at one point on Friday, he had to be taken to the visiting room in a wheel chair, he has lost substantial weight, and has other symptoms that require specialized diagnostic and treatment care that is not available at the prison infirmary.

Let us be clear:  The prison is enacting arbitrary and capricious rule changes each time folks call or visit.  Yet, the pattern is not in the direction of access and care.  In fact the prison is limiting communication and preventing a treatment plan from being put in place. Rise up for Mumia. Take Action Now. Call, Rally, and Demand he receive care.  

Noelle Hanrahan, Prison Radio
bit.ly/rise4mumia
National Call in Day
Today April 6th (see numbers below)
Rally April 6th Monday 11am
PA Department of Corrections, 1920 Technology Parkway, Mechanicsburg, PA


Action Alert: Demand that Mumia see a diabetes specialist

On Monday, March 30, Mumia Abu-Jamal lost consciousness at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) Mahanoy and had to be rushed to the hospital. He was admitted with a blood sugar level of 779, suffering from diabetic shock, and a dangerously high sodium level of 160. His wife, Wadiya Jamal and son Jamal Hart were informed by doctors that he has new onset diabetes, and that on arrival his kidneys were abnormal and he had a high sodium level that risked brain damage. This medical emergency followed several months of health problems, including elevated glucose levels, that were not adequately addressed by prison health care staff, resulting in a rapid deterioration in his condition with near-fatal consequences.

After being held incommunicado for approximately 24 hours, family members were permitted to visit on Tuesday and Wednesday in response to an international outcry. On Wednesday, April 1, Mumia was transported back to the prison infirmary despite not ever seeing a diabetes specialist and without a diagnosis of the cause of his diabetic shock, or a treatment plan.

Mumia was visited on Friday and he is still in medical danger. His blood sugar levels are not stable, shooting up to 300 at one point on Friday, he had to be taken to the visiting room in a wheel chair, he has lost substantial weight, and has other symptoms that require specialized diagnostic and treatment care that is not available at the prison infirmary.

Mumia must see a diabetes specialist (endocrinologist) in order to be properly diagnosed and provided with an individual treatment plan specific to him. Prison officials have a constitutional obligation to treat serious medical needs, and that includes providing specialist care when it is medically indicated. Newly onset diabetes with fluctuating blood sugar levels and a range of potentially related health problems requires specialist care.

Inadequate treatment of diabetes is deadly and can lead to loss of kidney function, nerve neuropathy and amputation of feet and hands.

Take action now – demand that the Department of Corrections permit Mumia to have a diabetes specialist of his choosing:

Call:

SCI Mahanoy
Superintendent John Kerestes
(570) 773-2158

SCI Mahanoy
Chief Health Care Administrator Steinhardt
(570) 773-2158

Christopher Opppman
Director, PA Department of Corrections Health Care Services
(717) 728-5309

John Wetzel
Secretary, PA Department of Corrections
(717) 728-4109

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