Two hundred inmates of the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro were subjected to health screening by the Department of Health—Mimaropa (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) together with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the provincial health office.
During a visit to the colony, Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said health screenings have shown to be an effective strategy in reducing, and eventually eliminating diseases among inmates.
Since infectious diseases spread easily in prisons due to congestion, he said the inmates should undergo health screenings to protect them.
The DoH conducted the health screening to improve TB control and to discover undetected TB cases in prisons, identify and treat inmates with skin lesions, conduct voluntary counseling and testing and ensure that support systems such as regulation, financing, logistics, human resource and information are in place.
TB is four to five times more prevalent in jails and prisons than in civilian communities in the country. HIV is also a major concern and Occidental Mindoro has contributed two HIV out of 35 cases from Jan – June 2016, the DoH said.
There are two social hygiene clinics in the province located in San Jose and Mamburao catering to reproductive health needs and STI concerns. Testing centers areas include Occidental Mindoro Provincial Hospital and San Sebastian District Hospital.
The DoH official said basic human rights decree that jail inmates equally deserve appropriate health care for the social reason that most of them will return to society after a few years.
“That is why proper care must be given to preserve their health in order for them to be able to again join society and embark on productive activities and free from disabling diseases,” he said.
“We are providing preventive strategies through disease prevention education on HIV, TB and leprosy and other skin diseases. Blood samples have been taken to be examined, sputum samples were collected and blood pressure were monitored,” he added.
Among the primary-diagnosed diseases in jails, based on medical records, were respiratory tract infections, skin diseases, pulmonary tuberculosis and skin diseases
Health and hygiene kits with tootbrush, toothpaste, cotton swabs, soap, comb, towel and condoms were also distributed to inmates.
Mimaropa region is home to two penal colonies—the Iwahig in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan and Sablayan located in Occidental Mindoro which also has three jails located in San Jose, Mamburao, Sablayan and five prisons managed by the Philippine National Police.