KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 9

The Central Jail Hospital in Jagannath Dewal, Sundhara, has become a referral centre for sick prisoners from across the country. Since treatment is not available in other prisons, this hospital has become a "referral centre" for inmates throughout the country.

However, inmates' health is deteriorating due to the prevalence of mental illness in the jail. General health examinations of prisoners are conducted in 74 prisons in the country's 77 districts. Their treatment is only available at Central Jail Hospital.

Talking to The HImalayan Times, Jailer of the Central Prison and Under Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Krishna Bahadur Katuwal said, "Currently, there are more than 3,820 prisoners here. Around 1,600 prisoners are afflicted with various diseases, but the majority of them are suffering from psychological problems."

He further said, "People who end up in jail have engaged in illegal activities. After being arrested, such people are undoubtedly psychologically affected. This could explain why such patients are disproportionately represented. However, such patients receive the necessary counseling from psychiatrists."

Some prisoners appear to have developed mental problems as a result of being idle all day, being separated from relatives or friends, and becoming ill.

"However, there are people in the Central Jail who suffer from general to complex health issues. People have high blood pressure, diabetes, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and other illnesses," Katuwal said.

A few of the Central Jail's 1,600 patients are receiving treatment at other hospitals. "They are being treated at Teaching Hospital, Bir Hospital, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, National Trauma Centre, and Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre," Katuwal stated.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population and Head of the Central Prison Hospital Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, said, "In addition to the Central Hospital, agreements have been reached with 26 hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley to provide free treatment to prisoners."

"An agreement has been reached with Bhaktapur's Cancer Hospital, Trauma Centre, Bir Hospital, Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre, and among others to provide free medical care to prisoners," he stated.

According to him, the ministry also makes recommendations for patients residing in prisons outside the valley. There are approximately 29,200 inmates in prisons across the country. "While there is no accurate data on how many of these patients are ill, the majority of the prisoners are facing some sorts of health issues. According to reports, a higher proportion of them suffer from mental health issues," Budhathoki claimed.

The Central Prison Hospital has a large number of ill prisoners due to referrals from across the country. Moreover, larger proportion of prisoners appear to have developed mental problems as a result of sitting around all day, being separated from relatives or friends, and being ill.

According to Budhathoki, some prisoners brought here from other districts for treatment do not wish to return. The reason for this is that they want to get the facilities of treatment and lawyers.

In a bid to improve access to healthcare, the government has included prisoners in health insurance programs. Budhathoki stated that 933 of the country's 29,200 prisoners are insured. "Their health is insured based on their reports or arrest warrant," he stated.

The government pays Rs 3,500 to the Central Prison Hospital for health insurance coverage. As a result, prisoners could get treatment facilities for around Rs 100,000 through insurance coverage. The government spends 15 to 20 million rupees per year to treat prisoners.

According to Budhathoki, there is a problem with treatment because the government provides less funding for prisoner care.

It is clear that attention should be paid to issues such as the need to construct a hospital building and increase the treatment budget for prisoners' health care.