Mumia weakening in hospital | World News |Axisoflogic.com

Supporters claim Mumia Abu-Jamal is suffering from diabetes but is not receiving adequate care from prison officials. | Photo: Archive

The imprisoned black activist was hospitalized last month after going into diabetic shock, his family believes his health is being deliberately neglected.

Reports from supporters indicated Friday that imprisoned black activist and journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal's health condition has worsened and have called on the public to take action to save his life. Abu-Jamal's wife told supporters that he is “gravely ill” and is experiencing swelling in his neck, chest, and legs.

They added that he was unable feed himself nor remain awake during the visit by his family.

Supporters are asking the public to call the governor of Pennsylvania and the superintendent at State Correctional Institution at Mahanoy, where Abu-Jamal is jailed, and demand Abu-Jamal be allowed to see a doctor.

Abu-Jamal was hospitalized in March after going into diabetic shock, supporters believe he may be suffering from diabetes and that prison officials are deliberately neglecting his health. Prison officials failed to notify his emergency medical contact after he was first hospitalized.

The public only learned that he had been taken to hospital when a friend went to visit him in prison and discovered he had been transferred to hospital. He had reportedly been trying to access proper medical attention for months.

"Taking prisoners to outside hospitals is not standard operating procedure... you have to be extraordinarily sick," activist Noelle Hanrahan told Democracy Now.

Abu-Jamal, who is also suffering from open sores on his skin, was released from the prison infirmary on Wednesday.

Supporters are demanding he continue to receive 24-hour care. Abu-Jamal was originally sentenced to death for the murder of a police officer but has always maintained his innocence., he is widely regarded as a political prisoner.

Source URL