U Aung Min, a 50-year-old refugee from Myanmar suffering from chronic lung disease who is currently in prison in India’s Manipur State urgently needs medical help.

U Aung Min, who fled fighting in Myanmar, has been detained for years under India’s Foreigners Act for entering the country illegally, according to Salai Dokhar, the founder of India for Myanmar.

Explaining U Aung Min’s condition Salai Dokhar said: “Water repeatedly accumulates in U Aung Min's lungs, which is why he often needs to pump it out. Since he has been in prison, it has become very difficult for him to do this regularly, creating a severe problem.”

U Aung Min is scheduled for surgery on 9 November and requires medication before the procedure. However, the prison is unable to provide him with the necessary medicine, so it is uncertain what will happen.

U Aung Min is one of at least 13 Myanmar inmates being held in Indian prisons who require medical assistance for chronic diseases, according to India for Myanmar.

“They suffer from various diseases, including tuberculosis. Some have undergone orthopedic surgeries and require follow-up therapies. These individuals need long-term medication for their chronic conditions, and when they cannot access the necessary medication in prison, their old ailments resurface, causing them significant distress,” said Salai Dokhar.

Some Myanmar citizens imprisoned in Manipur who suffer from chronic health conditions are able to rely on medication sent by their families. However some families of Myanmar prisoners with chronic conditions cannot send essentially needed medication for various reasons, leaving their relatives in precarious positions facing unpredictable health outcomes in the Indian prison system.

There are currently about 200 Myanmar refugees, both male and female in Indian prisons throughout the country.

India for Myanmar is a grassroots solidarity campaign organised by the democracy activists and individuals from Myanmar and India. It was formed on 1 October 2021.