Some retired political leaders are symbolic figures, representing important eras or movements in a nation’s history. Their health can evoke strong emotional responses from the public, influencing national sentiment. One such figure is former attorney-general of Fiji Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. Recently his various applications to the Magistrate’s Court for approval to travel to Singapore for medical treatment have been rejected. He faces corruption-related charges. In a court ruling on August 9, 2024, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s affidavit has been printed verbatim and outlines the medical conditions affecting his health. This information hasn’t been made public previously, and reveals his doctors had recommended a “cardiac interventional management” in 2018 at a time when he was the Attorney-General of Fiji.
The August 9 ruling is now a public
document that allows Beyond the Scope to report on its content.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum stated in his affidavit to the court that he has fully complied with all his bail conditions, adding he has no history of breaching any bail condition. He states his permanent place of residence is at Lot 1 Mount St Mary’s Crescent, Martintar, Nadi, Fiji and that he resides on this property with his wife and three children aged 7, 10 and 12. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum states his parents, brother and his family also reside in Fiji and that he is a legal practitioner by profession and owns and operate a law firm by the name of Khidmat Law in Westfield Subdivision, Nadi. The document states he owns a property in Namadi Heights in Suva and has shares in companies that own properties in Korotogo, Sigatoka and Wailoaloa, Nadi.
Hydronephrosis
MR Sayed-Khaiyum states in the affidavit that during his last medical review in Singapore, he was diagnosed with hydronephrosis — a medical condition characterised by the swelling of one or both kidneys due to the buildup of urine.
This happens when urine cannot drain out of the kidney into the bladder due to an obstruction or blockage in the urinary tract.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum informed the court there was a right pelvic ureteric obstruction.
“I required an urgent procedure on my right kidney through endoscopic dilatation and temporary insertion of J stent. Without this procedure being performed, I was at the risk of losing my kidney.
“During this procedure, a severe obstruction was found in my right kidney and I required further definitive surgery. In November 2023, I underwent robotic pyeloplasty and during the robotic surgery a further J stent was inserted.
“During the robotic pyeloplasty I also underwent a bilateral varicocelectomy. The J stent was taken out in December 2023,” stated Mr Sayed-Khaiyum.
He said he returned to Fiji and surrendered his passport to the Magistrate’s Court Registry as required by the court.
“I have been experiencing immense pain in my right kidney, where the procedures and surgery were performed, low energy levels, chest pains, breathlessness, dizziness and near fainting.
“Following the urgent procedures and surgery that I had undergone in Singapore last year, I was due for a medical review in March, but could not travel as I was in between CID interviews and a further criminal charge (Suva Magistrates Court, Criminal Case No. 182 of 2024) being laid against me.”
Coronary angiogram
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum stated in his affidavit that Doctor Dinesh Nair of Heart Matters Medical Center Pte Ltd based at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre in Singapore is his cardiologist.
“As per Doctor Nair’s letter, a CT coronary angiogram was performed on me on 27 September 2023 as I was experiencing chest pain. Results showed that there was 50 per cent blockage in mRCA (mid-right coronary artery).
“At that time, I was advised to postpone my coronary angiogram or coronary angioplasty for 2-3 months as I had recently had the J stent inserted for my kidney problems. Doctor Nair has provided a letter confirming the above and a detailed background of my medical history,” stated Mr Sayed-Khaiyum.
He further stated in the affidavit that after the court had denied his application to travel to Singapore for his medical review, he visited Pacific Specialist Health Centre.
“I have been examined by Doctor Patel, who is a local urologist and has been accepted as a specialist by the State in my previous application for variation of my bail conditions.
“I have been advised by Doctor Patel that I urgently require specialised nuclear medical renal scans combined with other imaging modalities is needed for surgical planning.”
The former AG stated in the affidavit that he was also examined by Doctor Omar Niazi at Heart International Hospital who recommended cardiac interventional management when he was admitted in Oceania Hospital in 2018.
“I am advised by Doctor Niazi that I urgently require a holter monitoring study undertaken in relation to my cardiac issues. He has advised me that holter monitor and electro physiologists are not available in Fiji and that my cardiologist in Singapore can make these arrangement.”
In his plea through the affidavit to the court, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum had stated the purpose for seeking a variation to his bail conditions was to allow him to get proper medical care and treatment at his own expense so that he can be healthy and free from medical ailments when he returned to Fiji.
“I respectfully seek leave of this honourable court to vary my existing bail conditions to allow the release of my passport to me and to grant me leave to travel out of Fiji. I am hoping to travel as soon as I get clearance from the court as my doctors have scheduled my tests, reviews and examinations between 21 July 2024 to 7 August 2024.
“I intend to return to Fiji upon the conclusion of my tests, reviews and examinations, and any procedures which are to be performed following the results of these tests, reviews and examinations. I undertake to return to Fiji and to complete my pending cases. I have entered a not guilty plea in both cases. I want to be healthy to contest both cases and clear my name. I have very firm ties with Fiji. My children, my wife, my parents, my brother and his family and my personal property interests are all in Fiji,” the affidavit states.
