In view of prevalence of Hepatitis B & C among prison inmates and to provide them access to quality healthcare, the health department Doda, in collaboration with District Jail organized a day-long testing cum awareness camp at District Jail Bhaderwah on Wednesday.
The camp was held on the directions of the Administrative Secretary Health Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah and Deputy Commissioner Doda Harvinder Singh and under the supervision of Chief Medical Officer Doda Dr Om Kumar.
The aim was to ensure regular monitoring and testing of jail inmates for Hepatitis B & C, HIV, Tuberculosis, besides general Health Check Up and Dental Checkup to prevent and control the transmission of the contagious diseases among the jail inmates.
The camp was inaugurated by Block Medical Officer Bhaderwah Dr Mohammad Ashraf in the presence of Superintendent District Jail Mushtaq Ahmed Malla, DIO/DTO Doda Dr Versha Sharma, Epidemiologist Umar Anayat Khan and staff of the Jail.
Around 187 prison inmates were tested and screened for Hepatitis B & C, Tuberculosis, HIV, Dental Check Up and general medical checks by a team of Doctors and Paramedical staff of SDH Bhaderwah.The jail inmates were also educated about the importance of health, hygiene and significance of healthy lifestyle.
Apart from offering basic health screenings/testing and check-ups, the health experts including Dr Versha Sharma dispensed important advice to inmates on how they can improve their health standards by adopting better practices of personal hygiene, and improving their physical well-being.
“You may be prisoners, but your health is as important as any other fellow citizen. It is our strong belief that healthcare providers must also play a role in helping ensure better access of healthcare delivery to prisoners. This is why such camps are all the more important for them,” added the health officials.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Om Kumar, while giving detail about the camp, informed that in view of the health issues among the prisoners due to spread of contagious disease and to facilitate provision of timely and effective medical treatment to the prisoners with medical problems, the camp was organized to detect any sign of disease, which can be prevented before it's onset and to educate them about the need of improving standards of good health.
The programme was made possible by the generous support of BMO Bhaderwah who deployed the medical team besides District Jail Authorities Bhaderwah who provided all possible support in making the camp a great success.
Superintendent District Jail Bhaderwah Mushtaq Ahmed Malla thanked and lauded the Health department for organizing such an important camp, which would surely benefit the health standard of the prison inmates.