KATHMANDU, Feb 29: The Department of Prison Management (DoPM) has initiated a health insurance scheme from mid-February with the objective of facilitating healthcare services for inmates within the prison system. The inmates of the Central Jail have also adopted the Health Insurance Scheme.
Kalpana Gyawali, head of the health program of the Central Prison Office, said that the health insurance program is designed targeting inmates who have served more than one year of imprisonment in the Central Jail.
The DoPM has allocated Rs 3,500 per inmate for health insurance coverage. She said that the insurance will be canceled after serving the term of imprisonment.
Kavre jail prisoners demand transfer of their 'leaders'
Jail administrator Lalit Basnet said that the implementation of the health insurance program aims to ensure the well-being of inmates. He said that the prisoners will now have access to medical treatment worth Rs 100,000 through insurance coverage.
The government has been treating prisoners through the Central Prison Hospital. Jail administrator Basnet said that the patients who cannot be treated at the Central Jail Hospital are being treated by contracting with 25 different hospitals.
The hospital conducts health camps periodically for inmates and offers educational sessions on various topics including nutrition, hygiene and healthy lifestyle.
There are currently 3,721 inmates in the Central Jail.
