Telemedicine system proposed for inmates in all Sindh jails

The Sindh Prisons Policy Board (SPPB) has recommended implementing the telemedicine system for inmates in jail across the province during a meeting presided over by caretaker home minister Brigadier (retd) Haris Nawaz on Monday.

The meeting, held at Sindh IG prisons office, was attended by the provincial secretaries for home, law, universities and boards, senior officials of finance, health, social welfare, women development and information technology departments among others.

The IG told the meeting that earlier the telemedicine system was proposed to be initiated at the Sukkur jail as a pilot project, now the SPPB had recommended extending it to all prisons across the province. He said that under this plan, telemedicine desks would be established at all hospitals, including the NICVD and the SIUT.

The minister commented that the telemedicine facility would save money, improve inmates’ health and diminish the risk of taking them to hospitals outside jails. He stressed the need to provide inmates with safe environment in prisons to ensure their successful reintegration in society.

He said that jail authorities have a responsibility to ensure that the supervision and treatment of prisoners is in accordance with law and human rights. He added that the period of imprisonment must be used to prepare inmates for life in society following their release.

He emphasised empowering the district-level oversight and welfare committees for improving the life of inmates, especially children, women and underprivileged prisoners, and providing them with better health and hygiene facilities in jails.

The meeting also discussed various other issues related to introducing inmates to new technologies and providing maximum possible support to their families through a mechanism prescribed by the law and rules. It decided to send the board’s recommendations to the Sindh government for approval and implementation.