Appeal for medical assistance from a prison inmate in Gujarat

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends

The letters pasted below were received through registered post by our Calcutta

office from Mr. Iqbal Shafiq Ahmed Qureshi, who is a prison inmate at the Nadiad

District Prison in Gujarat. Mr. Qureshi says he is infected with HIV and needs

urgent medical assistance.

It is not clear if the letters (both handwritten) were written by Mr. Qureshi.

They have been signed in Gujarati while the text is in English. Possibly they

were written by prison officials on behalf of Mr. Qureshi. The text of the

letters has been reproduced as close as possible to the originals.

Individuals / organizations / networks providing HIV/AIDS services in Gujarat

are requested to get in touch with Mr. Qureshi and his doctor and other relevant

prison officials at the earliest. We have written to Mr. Qureshi that word is

being spread regarding his appeal for help.

Regards

Pawan Dhall

Country Director - Programmes & Development

SAATHII

Calcutta Office

Phone: 98312 88023 / 2334 7329

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First letter dated March 4, 2005:

From:

Iqbal Shafiq Ahmed Qureshi

Prisoner, At. Nadiad Jilla Jail

Bilodhra, Nadiad, Gujarath State

To

The Project Co-ordinator

SAATHII Calcutta

CD 335, Sector I

Salt Lake City

Kolkata 700 064

Sir,

I am an HIV+ve AIDS patient lodged at above said jail with false case. My

complete medical report has been submitted at Nadiad Sessions Court for my

prosecution. The prosecution never taken up my case since 11.10.2003. I am

heavily suffering without proper medicine. The judicial set-up in Gujrat never

bother of my this uncurable disease since I am 41 years old my wife and children

were suffering without any daily bread. I am the only bread winning source of

the whole family.

The Narcotic Control Board officers falsely implicated me in to their case and

they also objecting my bail application in the court. Neither they allow to run

the trial nor to grant bail for my treatment.

Hence I kindly request your attention towards me and help me to come out for

treatment. At present I am under the drug of ZIDOLAM.

The jail doctor occasionally gives this medicine and often discontinues.

Sir please take necessary action and save me and my family.

Yours faithfully

Iqbal Shafiq Ahmed Qureshi

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Second letter dated March 14, 2005:

From:

Iqbal Shafiq Ahmed Qureshi

Prisoner, Nadiad Jilla Jail

Bilodhra, Nadiad, Gujarath State

To

The Project Co-ordinator

SAATHII, CD 335 Sector I

Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700 064

Respected Sir,

I am an HIV+ve patient lodged at above jail for a false case. My complete

medical report has been submitted to the Hob'le Sessions Court for my bail. I

have been treated by my jail physician. The ZIDOLAM drug been given.

If I could get bail in my case I would have been taken personnel treatment by

approaching you directly. Neither I am getting bail nor medicine.

I am the only bread-winning source of my four children and wife. If any drastic

thing happen my whole family will left with nothing. I have been at this state

of life since 11.10.2003.

Sir, I kindly request you to take care of me and, I am very poor man with nil

financial status. If I have been given needed attention I would be ever

faithful to you.

Awaiting for your early reply.

Yours faithfully

Iqbal Shafiq Ahmed Qureshi

(Signed before the Jailor, Nadiad District Jail)