Ill inmate given leave

By DAPHNE WANI
A JUDGE has ordered prison authorities to transfer an inmate “in a life-threatening condition” to hospital, saying people should be treated with humanity and respect regardless of their status.
Justice David Cannings ordered Bomana Prison commander Kiddy Keko and Correctional Service Commissioner Michael Waipo to immediately transfer inmate Eremas Wartoto to the Port Moresby General Hospital, in particular to the Sir Buri Kidu Heart Foundation where people with heart problems receive treatment.
Justice Cannings, after an urgent application filed by Wartoto’s lawyer Paul Yange, was satisfied that Wartoto was in a life-threatening condition and had to be transferred to the hospital for medical care and attention.
Wartoto was jailed for 10 years last year for misappropriating public funds.
The court was informed that Wartoto had been suffering from a heart condition for more than a decade, even before his conviction on March 27, 2017.
When he went to Bomana prison, authorities found out about his medical condition and granted him a leave of absence to receive medical care and attention at the Port Moresby General Hospital, in particular the Sir Buri Kidu Heart Foundation.
But on Jan 10 this year, Waipo ordered all prisoners in hospitals to return to jail to complete their terms behind bars.
Wartoto claimed that since his transfer back to Bomana last month, his condition had worsened. He asked that he be taken back to hospital and the foundation.
Justice Cannings directed Wartoto’s lawyer Yange to serve documents to Keko, Waipo and the State by today.
He also wanted an updated medical report from the medical specialists on the brief status of the applicant. The matter returns to court this week for inter parte hearing.
Kokopo businessman Wartoto was jailed for misappropriating in 2009 more than K6 million belonging to the State.
National Court judge Justice George Manuhu ordered Wartoto, from Rabura village, Gazelle, in East New Britain, to serve nine years, nine months and a week with hard labour on June 24 last year.
Justice Manuhu also highlighted that his downfall was a mixture of stupidity, lack of diligence and a lot of illegal help from the Department of National Planning and Monitoring which could not be undone.