15 Jul 2015

Remanded Nauru MP has heart attack

7:26 pm on 15 July 2015

A Nauru opposition MP Sprent Dabwido who has been in custody on the island following protests has been taken to hospital after suffering a heart attack.

The wife of a fellow remanded MP Squire Jeremiah was visiting the two MPs in prison this morning and saw a doctor arrive to check on Mr Dabwido who is in his early forties.

Christine Jeremiah says Mr Dabwido, who is a former president of Nauru, was taking medication for health problems while on remand and she says something like this was expected.

"I think about 11.40 am they took him to the hospital and I asked Squire and he said last night they took him to the hospital as well because he was having a breathing problem and when they came today to check on him again they said he had a minor heart attack."

The opposition MPs have been remanded in custody for nearly a month facing criminal charges after anti-government protests on the island.

They are among five suspended opposition MPs who are the focus of international attention amid concerns over alleged rights violations on the island.

Christine Jeremiah says family members are given one hour a week to visit the remanded MPs who are housed together in one cell.

Former Nauru president Sprent Dabwido

Former Nauru president Sprent Dabwido Photo: supplied