Faridpur Jail inmates suffer in absence of medical facilities

There is only one pharmacist at Faridpur district jail to serve 914 inmates, as the post of an assistant surgeon for the jail remains vacant, due to the negligence of the authorities.

There are no physicians, no diagnostic centre or any other medical facilities inside the jail.

In 1825, the Faridpur district jail was established in the Jhiltuli area on 34 acres of land. A corrugated tin-shed room is available at the jail for providing medical services to the jail inmates, but it remains unfit for use.

Abdullah Al Mamun, the supervisor of Faridpur Jail, said there is a capacity of 420 inmates, but it currently counts well over double that: 897 male and 17 female inmates. The post of assistant surgeon has remained vacant for a long period of time.

“If we find any prisoner sick, we used to take them to the Faridpur Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital. Besides, a physician has been appointed but he is not regular. A senior pharmacist is available to provide medical care to them,” he said.

Besides, three attendees are required with a patient when sent to the hospital outside the jail, hampering the normal activities of the jail due to the manpower crisis, said Al Mamun.

Pharmacist Ashraful Alam, who is available at the jail for providing first aid, said a minimum of 2-3 physicians are needed for providing healthcare services to the jail inmates.

He also stressed the need for a permanent hospital for medical care of the inmates alongside 3-4 nurses and a diagnostic centre.

According to the district jail sources, some 1050 jail inmates took healthcare services in the past three months and two inmates are undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College and hospital and one died while undergoing treatment.

Many jail inmates from other jails adjacent to Faridpur district also came here to avail medical treatment.

Kabirul Islam Siddique, the jail inspector of Faridpur jail, said the prison is crammed and the number of inmates well over their capacity, is a major problem.