Asylum Seeker’s Life Hangs in Balance | Kansas City News

A 33-year-old Belarusian asylum seeker, Katsiaryna Bartko, is slipping into a life-threatening medical crisis while detained in an ICE facility—her thyroid and parathyroid glands removed years ago, leaving her reliant on daily hormone and calcium treatments. Without them, she’s at risk of fatal myxedema coma. Fleeing political persecution for opposing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Bartko now faces death either in detention or if deported back home. Since arriving at Leavenworth ICE in June, she hasn’t seen an endocrinologist, despite referrals, and blood tests show dangerously high TSH levels. Her partner reports her voice fading and throat spasming, while court documents suggest she may have been denied critical medication—including treatments she’s depended on for over a decade. Doctors call her condition “extremely poorly regulated,” with a 25-60% fatality rate for myxedema coma. Denied bond due to flight risk fears, Bartko’s legal team argues her health must be protected during immigration proceedings. Her story underscores systemic medical neglect in detention centers and the desperate fight for survival as her condition worsens. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/3fb6a28da26f1bb2