Fit to fly
"Fit to fly" is a short film by Martin Freeth about the work of Medical Justice
Ali, who took part in the 2009 demonstrations in Iran, fled to the UK for safety and was detained. Medical Justice arranged for Dr Charmian Goldwyn to visit Ali in detention. She wrote a medico-legal report documenting his scars of torture. Ali was eventually released and granted refugee status. Ali later joined Charmian at one of the Medical Justice medics training days; "I have come here to meet the doctors who save my life and show other doctors that people in detention centres need their help".
Dr Jonathan Fluxman describes the medical conditions of a Togolese political activist called "Lucy" who is a torture survivor. She had untreated and uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, she was suicidal, undiagnosed and untreated vaginal bleeding, and had been certified by detention centre healthcare staff as "fit to fly".
Oliver suffers from sick cell disease. He has been shunted between detention centres, airports and hospitals during 17 attempts to deport him. He was assisted by Medical Justice and his case was highlighted in our successful legal challenge of the UK Border Agency's policy to deport some vulnerable people with no notice.
Dr Frank Arnold, one of the founders of Medical Justice, explains to doctors at the Medical Justice training about inadequate healthcare in detention and what we can do about it. Theresa Schleicher, the Medical Justice Casework Manager, explains how Medical Justice helps detainees obtain medical evidence, that most of the people we assist get released, that many of them get leave to remain in the UK, that they can then start to recover in safety and be reunited with their families.
Please watch the film at http://www.mfreeth.com/movies/100.html