KATHMANDU, July 16: The Central Prison Hospital, Prison Management Department, has ensured that no prisoners will lose their lives due to improper treatment. The Central Prison Hospital has strengthened and streamlined the delivery of health services to prevent inmates from dying untimely due to the lack of treatment by contracting with government and private hospitals for prisoners who need special and urgent healthcare services. A total of 23 health service-related organizations within Kathmandu have been assigned to nine referral hospitals and given priority in the treatment of prisoners.
The head of the Central Prison Hospital, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, said that they have signed agreements with 23 government and private hospitals for the prisoners who need specialized and urgent treatment to enhance overall health services. "This agreement ensures that no prisoners have to lose their lives due to a lack of proper treatment," he said.
According to him, the primary referral hospitals include Bir Hospital, Nepal Eye Hospital, Sahid Gangalal National Heart Center, Kanti Children’s Hospital, Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, and Trauma Center. Similarly, the Central Prison Hospital has also signed a deal with Sukraraj Tropical and Communicable Disease Control Hospital, Mental Hospital, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital’s Central Transfusion Service, National Public Health Laboratory, Shahid Dharmabhakta Human Organ Transplant Center, National Kidney Center, and Ayurveda Hospital for initial referrals.
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In case a bed is not available or specialized treatment is needed, the Central Prison Hospital will refer patients to Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Center, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, National Reference Laboratory, Anandaban Hospital, and BP Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies.
If these hospitals also require referrals, BP Smriti Hospital, Sumeru Hospital, Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Center, and Orthopedic Hospital have been scheduled as the last referral hospitals.
Meanwhile, the Central Prison Hospital has interacted with the representatives of the health institutions it has signed agreements with to see how the treatment services for prisoners can be made more organized and efficient.
On the occasion, Dr Budhathoki requested to inform them if there is a problem during the treatment of the prisoners. He also assured that the Prison Management Department will continue to enhance health facilities in the days to come.
The prisoners who attended the program were informed about the health issues they are facing. There are altogether 75 prisons and 200 correction homes across the country. There are more than 29,000 prisoners.
According to Dr Budhathoki, who is also the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, most of the prisoners suffer from blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, mental problems, and ENT problems. Among the prisoners, 10 have cancer, and nine have kidney diseases. Those with kidney issues are receiving dialysis services.
