Alexie Navalny has been on hunger strike since the last 18 days, he demanded treatment from the doctor of his choice
Doctors for the Kremlin critic – Alexei Navalny have warned that he may die any moment of cardiac arrest or kidney failure.
The remarks came after doctors examined his blood test reports. Navalny has been on hunger strike since the last 18 days. Navalny had demanded treatment for acute back pain and leg numbness from the doctor of his choice.
Navalny’s personal doctor – Anastasia Vasilyeva, along with 4 other doctors has written to the prison authorities seeking permission to meet Navalny. He also posted that letter on twitter which stated that Navalny’s potassium has reached critical levels.
Taking it to twitter, Dr. Vasilyeva tweeted,
Having received test results we, the doctors of Alexey Navalny, address the head of Federal Penitentiary Service. Due to critical state of health of Alexay Navalny we express our concerns and our readinness to enter into discussion followed by consilium. 1/ pic.twitter.com/cRG2fkq9yk
— Команда Анастасии Васильевой (@DrAnastasy) April 17, 2021
Sharing the reports, Dr. Vasilyeva tweeted,
We have been waiting for two days with concerns growing. No response thus far.
— Команда Анастасии Васильевой (@DrAnastasy) April 17, 2021
Potassium in blood serum 7.1 mmol/L is both — kidney failure and severe heart-rhythm disturbances, i.e. ventricular fibrillation to the extent of cardiac arrest.
The action must be taken immediately
2/
The doctors are scared that both impaired renal function and that serious heart rhythm problems can happen any minute. Having blood potassium levels higher than 6.0 mmol (millimoles) per litre usually requires immediate treatment.
Complaining of no response from prison authorities, Dr. Vasilyeva tweeted (translated from Russian), “A day has passed for all our letters and appeals about a serious condition @navalny – silence. It is cruel and monstrous. We all understand that Aleksey has the right to consult and receive treatment from his own doctors, and this is quite adequate that after what happened in Omsk he does not trust anyone.” Original tweet in Russian:
Прошёл день, на все наши письма и обращения о тяжелом состоянии @navalny – молчание. Это жестоко и чудовищно.
— Команда Анастасии Васильевой (@DrAnastasy) April 17, 2021
Мы все понимаем, что Алексей имеет право на консультацию и лечение именно своих врачей, и это вполне адекватно, что после случившегося в Омске он не доверяет никому.
He further tweeted (translated from Russian), “Now we do not know anything about him and do not understand what is happening to him. We can only assume that his condition is even more critical. We ask again to hold a joint consultation. You can already show such a simple humanity and resolve this terrible situation.” Original tweet in Russian:
Сейчас мы ничего о нем не знаем и не понимаем,что с ним происходит. Можем только предположить, что его состояние ещё более критическое. Мы повторно просим провести совместный консилиум. Можно уже проявить казалось бы такую простую гуманность и разрешить эту страшную ситуацию
— Команда Анастасии Васильевой (@DrAnastasy) April 17, 2021
Navalny has lost 15 kgs since he arrived at Penal Colony No. 2 in the town of Pokrov, Russia, where he is servicing his term. He lost another 9 kgs since he began his hunger strike.
However, the prison authorities said they offered him proper medical treatment but Navalny refused it and asked for a doctor of his choice, which is outside the prison facility. This request was denied by the prison authorities. Navalny was shifted to prison clinic after he complained of high temperature and bad cough. Earlier, Navalny had also complained of ‘sleep deprivation torture for being woken up by a guard every hour during the night. The prison authorities have denied all the charges and said that his progress is satisfactory and that he has been given all the necessary treatment.
Another doctor – Alexander Polupan, who treated Navalny in Germany for alleged poisoning with a chemical nerve agent from Novichok Group has also raised the alarm. Besides, 70 well known writers, artists and academics, have signed a letter calling upon the President of Russia – Vladimir Putin to provide adequate medical care to Navalny. Some of the signatories to the letter include Hollywood actors, Jude Law, Ralph Fiennes and Benedict Cumberbatch. The author of Harry Potter – J.K. Rowling and Director of the movie – Ken Burns have also signed it.
