Chitwan Prison Becomes Preferred Destination for Ailing Inmates Due to Accessible Healthcare

Chitwan. The District Prison Office in Chitwan has consistently been the first choice for sick inmates. This prison is preferred by inmates because they can easily receive treatment at the Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur Hospital, and two major medical colleges located here.

According to the office chief, Rabindra Prasad Dhungana, three patients were recently transferred here from Central Jail Nuwakot for treatment. For sick inmates across the country, Kathmandu is the first choice for treatment, followed by Chitwan.

Since Chitwan is centrally located, relatives of the patients find it convenient to visit due to easy transportation access, which is another reason they come here. He stated that there are currently 118 sick inmates in the prison.

According to him, there are 54 patients with high blood pressure, 30 with diabetes, 12 with mental illness, five with Hepatitis B, and three each suffering from heart disease, tuberculosis, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and epilepsy, along with two patients with thyroid issues.

He mentioned that procuring regular medication for inmates requiring continuous treatment poses a challenge. This fiscal year, the office was allocated NPR 1.2 million for medical treatment expenses.

He stated that since the government-allocated funds for medicine are insufficient, they manage drug supplies in collaboration with the Public Health Office, the Health Branch of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, and pharmaceutical traders. This prison currently houses 679 inmates, including 41 women.