Reference :
V-P-AF-E-02125
Date :
29/05/2014
Caption :
Kandahar, Sarposa prison. Dr Bahkt sees on average 1,500 patients a month in the prison clinic.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
ICRC web site: Improving health care in prisons
03-07-2014 Feature
In Kandahar’s overcrowded Sarposa prison, addressing the medical concerns of inmates is a daily challenge. But thanks to the services being offered in a small, blue-and-cream painted clinic in the prison compound, the health status of the prison population is now stable. Taking care of detainees’ health in overcrowded jails is not simply a matter of seeing patients and handing out medicine. In Sarposa, considerable emphasis is laid on raising awareness of hygiene among the entire prison population and on offering vaccinations for female prisoners and their accompanying children. A dentist, a dermatologist and an ear, nose and throat specialist give consultations on a regular basis. A midwife visits the women detainees. The ICRC is carrying out similar activities at several detention facilities in the country. Working in cooperation with prison authorities and the health ministry, ICRC medical staff make regular visits to prisons throughout Afghanistan to monitor the health of detainees, and the services on offer. ICRC engineers are helping to improve prisons’ infrastructure by refurbishing kitchens, improving sanitation and water supplies and, as in the case of Sarposa, undertaking a major renovation of health facilities. Hygiene promotion is taking place in regional and provincial prisons, and financial support is provided for medical staff. In Herat prison, the second biggest in Afghanistan, the renovation of the clinic has almost been completed and health services similar to the ones on offer in Sarposa will begin soon.
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
4272x2848
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
