Tihar Jail launches health drive for inmates

NEW DELHI: They may be in jail but their health care is as important as any other person.

This seems to be the message of Tihar Jail authorities who have launched a major drive to get health check-up done on its over 13,000 inmates.

Named 'Chhupa Rustam', the general health check-up campaign was launched after it was detected that a large number of inmates suffer from hyper tension.

The health camp was started in January and as many as 700 inmates have been checked up so far, Dr Sushrut, who is heading the health camp, told PTI.

"Out of them, a majority has been detected as a patient of hyper tension, having irregular blood pressure," he said.

Tests were also conducted for diabetes and the result is awaited for compilation of the data, he said.

To spread awareness about the health care need, 'nukkad natak ( street plays)' and other performances were organised in the country's largest prison where even some dreaded terrorists are lodged.

Explaining the reasons for such an outcome, the doctor said, "These people are not living an easy or normal life. They are away from their family, friends and some have been here for years or even a decade. Everyone is not strong enough to stand loneliness and tough routine as that of a jail. These things affect one's body and therefore such irregularities are detected."

Deputy Inspector General of Delhi Prisons Muktesh Prasad said the drive has been successful so far and will continue.

"All the inmates of Delhi prisons will undergo this health check-up. This is an important and an ideal step taken by the jail administration to keep the inmates fit and healthy," Prasad said.

"Once done, the data for all the inmates will be compiled and medication as prescribed by the doctors will be carried out for each inmate as per their requirements," he said.