The lack of proper medical attention in the state-of-the-art Sungai Buloh prison has cost an African businessman his left big toe.

Elhadj Ousmane Sylla, who faces two charges for overstaying in the country, said that despite being informed of his diabetic condition during his arrest on April 13, he was only sent for treatment three weeks later.

Unfortunately, by that time, the 53-year old man - who hailed from the Republic of Guinea in western Africa - claimed that his diabetic condition had worsened, which resulted in his big toe on his left leg (which was already injured before his arrest) to be removed.

Diabetes exacerbates the condition of wounds of those who are suffering from the disease.

Now Ousmane fears for the worst as his surgery wounds have not improved. He has since applied to the Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court to grant him bail so that he could seek proper medical treatment.

Case postponed

His lawyer Sankara Nair told malaysiakini that the bail application was to be heard today but had to be postponed after the prosecution could not produce Ousmane in court on time.

"The prosecution told the magistrate they had little time to make the proper arrangements to get Ousmane to court today as the application was only filed on Wednesday. So the matter was adjourned to next Monday," he said

Ousmane was arrested on April 13 at the Sri Petaling Hotel and was subsequently remanded for breaching the Immigration Act 1963.

On April 27, he was brought to the court and charged with two counts of overstaying and was subsequently remanded at the Sungai Buloh prison.

In his affidavit in support of the bail application, Ousmane said that he informed the relevant authorities of his diabetic condition and that his toe was injured and bruised, but the authorities did not provide him proper medical treatment.

"On May 8, after much persuasions and complaints to the Sungai Buloh prison authorities, I was finally admitted to University Malaya Medical Centre. Since my diabetes was in an advanced stage, my toe turned gangrenous and upon medical advice it was duly amputated," he said in the affidavit.

Basic treatment

Ousmane said although he is currently given medical treatment, it is at the very basic level, and he is constantly "kept under lock and chains, and chained to the bed".

"I verily believed that my limbs and my life may be in serious danger and jeopardy if I am not free on bail," he said

"By being on bail I can seek treatment and seek other medical opinion as there may be a serious need to amputate more (of my foot) of the surrounding area to the surgery wound."

Meanwhile, Sankara said that the application is supported by the republic's embassy in Malaysia who has since written a letter ( left ) to the court, Attorney-General's chambers and the Immigration department over the issue.

In the letter, ambassador Mamadou Toure said that the embassy is rather surprised that one of their nationals have been arrested without the mission being informed.

Toure also said that the country's ministry of justice had revealed that Ousmane had no criminal records and expressed his hope that the Malaysian authorities will allow him to seek medical treatment.