Damage to Palestinian Hunger Striker’s Organs Could Be Permanent: Physician

Date: 19 October 2020 - 21:31

News ID: ۸۳۹۹۲

WEST BANK (Dispatches) – Even if the Palestinian detainee in the occupied territories, Maher al-Akhras, who has been on hunger strike for 85 days in protest against his incarceration without charge, end his fast, damage to his vital organs caused by the prolonged fast could be permanent, a physician affiliated with a human rights group has warned.
In an update on the medical condition of al-Akhras, family medicine specialist and volunteer, Lena Qassem, said after visiting him on at his hospital bed, where he is currently detained by the Zionist regime, that "although al-Akhras is fully conscious and lucid, he is having trouble concentrating and is suffering bouts of confusion throughout the day. He continues to lose weight, has severe dizziness and balance issues. He is unable to stand, walk or turn over in bed.”
Qassem added that al-Akhras has suffered significant muscle atrophy, and his eyesight and hearing have deteriorated.
"Al-Akhras drinks nothing but water, refusing to take sugar, salt or vitamins. He is also refusing all tests to monitor his condition, including for vital signs, ECG and blood tests,” she said, and he refuses to be tested or receive any medical care from the staff, a phenomenon typical in hunger strikes.
"In view of Maher’s condition, even if he decides to end his strike and gradually return to eating, doing so under medical supervision, it will take him months to recover. His body will require quite some time – if ever – to repair the damage to various organs caused by the prolonged fast,” said Qassem.
The Palestinian Information Center reported on Sunday described The 49-year-old Palestinian prisoner’s health condition as extremely dangerous, saying that he is unable to move and that he has lost a lot of fluids and salts amid warnings of his possible martyrdom.
Palestinian human rights organizations and political parties, for their parts, have warned that Akhras would lose his life at any moment as he has entered the stage of extreme danger.
Akhras, the father of six children, was detained on July 27 and was held under the administrative detention order, with no charge. This has led him to start a hunger strike in an attempt to seek justice against the unfair detention.
"I am committed to my decision and will eat food only in my home, and I will not break my will. I am now in Kaplan Hospital, I do not drink anything but water, and I will continue doing so until I return to my house,” he said.