Health check-ups of inmates at the District Jail Office have been conducted.
Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV tests of 185 inmates were carried out on January 25.
The TB and HIV testing of inmates was organized by the Koshi Province Health Directorate, Dhankuta, according to Officer Tulsiprasad Gurangai.
Officer Gurangai stated that TB screening was conducted through chest X-rays using advanced AI-enabled machines.
During the screening, 10 inmates were found to have possible symptoms of tuberculosis.
Officer Gurangai informed that sputum samples of the symptomatic inmates will be collected and sent to the laboratory for further testing.
Preparations have begun to provide free treatment to inmates confirmed to have tuberculosis.
The Koshi Province Health Directorate, Dhankuta, stated that health screenings were conducted because places such as prisons, old-age homes, and rehabilitation centers are considered high-risk environments for TB due to overcrowded and enclosed conditions.
It has been reported that prolonged stay in confined spaces, poor nutrition, smoking, alcohol consumption, and limited access to health services increase the risk of TB infection.
HIV testing of inmates was also conducted. The Health Directorate stated that the HIV test results of all participating inmates were negative.
The Government has set a target to reduce the number of TB patients in Nepal to fewer than 10 per 100,000 population by 1978. Currently, Nepal has 227 TB patients per 100,000 population.