Prisoners to be health screened

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Health Ministry will screen all prisoners in the next two months for communicable and non communicable diseases. A special Health Week is to be organized in all prisons for this purpose under the direction of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, a Health Ministry spokesman said. According to the spokesman there is a severe congestion in Sri Lankan prisons and a large number of prisoners are living in small and limited space.

This situation leads to an increase in communicable diseases and non communicable diseases (NCDs) among prisoners. Health screening and treatment will safeguard prisoners' health.

The prisoners will be directed to treatment after screening.

Medical equipment, health staff and other facilities are to be provided for prison hospitals for this purpose.

A special committee headed by Health Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala has already been appointed to oversee the programme. The programme was planned after a discussion between Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera and Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem.