WMA concern over Treatment of Former Ukrainian Prime Minister

The World Medical Association has expressed its concern about the refusal of the Ukranian authorities to allow the country’s former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to receive independent medical advice while on trial.

Mrs Tymoshenko claims her health has seriously deteriorated since being jailed on August 5 and is asking to be examined by her own doctor. She is currently in prison for contempt of court, while on trial for abuse of power when in office.

Her request to be examined by her personal doctor has been turned down by the court on the grounds that prison medical staff had declared her fit to stand trial.

The WMA said the every person was entitled without discrimination to appropriate medical care and every patient had the right to be cared for by a physician whom he or she knew to be free to make clinical and ethical judgements without any outside interference.

Meanwhile, the European Union has also asked the Ukrainian authorities to allow its envoy to visit Mrs Tymoshenko, who claims the charges against her are politically motivated.