Chitwan Jail Becomes Preferred Destination for Ailing Inmates Due to Accessible Healthcare Facilities

Chitwan. The Chitwan District Jail has become the first choice for sick inmates. Inmates prefer this jail because they can easily receive treatment at the Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur Hospital, and two major medical colleges located here.

Although Chitwan is primarily chosen for the treatment of inmates suffering from cancer, it is now becoming the preferred choice for patients with other ailments as well. According to the office chief, Rabindra Prasad Dhungana, three patients were recently sent here from the Central Jail in Nuwakot for treatment. For inmates needing medical care across the country, Kathmandu is the first choice, followed by Chitwan.

Since Chitwan is centrally located, the easy access to transportation also makes it convenient for the relatives of the patients, which is why they come here. According to him, there are currently 118 sick inmates in the jail.

They are suffering from various types of diseases. There are 54 patients with high blood pressure. Similarly, there are 30 with diabetes, 12 with mental illness, five with Hepatitis B, and three each with heart disease, tuberculosis, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and epilepsy, and two with thyroid issues.

He mentioned that procuring medicines is also challenging for patients who require regular medication. This fiscal year, the office was allocated NPR 1.2 million for medical expenses.

He informed that since the budget allocated by the government for medicines is insufficient, they manage the drug supply in collaboration with the District Public Health Office, the Health Branch of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, and pharmaceutical traders. This jail houses 679 inmates, including 41 women. He added that there is one dependent child.

Currently, two inmates are receiving treatment after being admitted to the hospital. The capacity of this jail is 505 people. He stated that this includes 30 women and 465 men. One hundred and ten inmates who escaped during the 'Genji' movement have yet to return.