Health department organizes testing of Hepatitis B & C for Jail inmates at Bhaderwah
DODA, Feb 21:
In view of prevalence of Hepatitis B & C among prison inmates and with an objective to provide access to good quality healthcare to prisoners, 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 which was held on the directions of worthy Administrative Secretary Health Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah (IAS) and Deputy Commissioner Doda Sh Harvinder Singh (IAS) and under the supervision of Chief Medical Officer Doda Dr Om Kumar was organized with the aim to regular monitoring and testing of jail inmates for Hepatitis B & C, HIV, Tuberculosis, Dental Checkup besides general Health Check Up, in order to prevent and control the transmission of various contagious diseases among the jail inmates.
The camp was inaugurated by Block Medical Officer Bhaderwah Dr Mohd Ashraf in the presence of Superintendent District Jail Bhaderwah Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Malla, DIO/DTO Doda Dr Versha Sharma, Epidemiologist Doda Mr Umar Anayat Khan and staff of District Jail Bhaderwah.
During the camp, around 187 prison inmates were tested and screened for Hepatitis B & C, Tuberculosis, HIV, Dental Check Up and general medical checks were examined by the team of Doctors and Paramedical staff of SDH Bhaderwah.
On this occasion, the jail inmates were also educated about the importance of health, hygiene and significance for a healthy life.
Apart from offering basic health screenings/testing and check-ups, the health experts including Dr Versha Sharma also 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. They may be prisoners, but their 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,” adds the health officials.
Chief Medical Officer Doda Dr Om Kumar while giving detail about the camp, informed that the concerned with the health issues of prisoners in various jails 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 Sh Mushtaq Ahmed Malla thanked and lauded the efforts of health department for organizing such an important camp, which would surely benefit the health standard of the prison inmates.