RATNANAGAR: An epidemic of skin disease has gripped the Chitwan District Prison based in Bharatpur.

About 50 per cent of the total 600 inmates and detainees, held against the prison’s capacity of 250, have been affected by a contagious skin disease that causes itching, rashes and allergy.

Health professional Odari Mahato, assigned to provide healthcare to the jailbirds, sees the need of advanced treatment for the affected.

When contacted, jailer Kamal Kafle said the Prison was making preparations for calling a health specialist from outside to check the skin disease patients in the prison.

It is noted that the government this time has allocated Rs one million to the prison for the medical treatment of inmates and detainees. Inmates are facing problems even to maintain personal hygiene due to the overcrowding.