Among the 265 inmates in Palpa District Jail, 72 are suffering from chronic diseases. The total capacity of the district jail is 325 people, including space for 150 women and 175 men. Currently, there are 20 women and 245 men in the jail. Additionally, one four-year-old dependent child is residing in the jail.
Ganesh Prasad Gaire, a Health Worker at the Palpa District Jail, reported that among female prisoners, nine are chronically ill. This includes five women with high blood pressure, one with diabetes, two with thyroid conditions, and one with a mental disability. Similarly, among male prisoners, there are 63 chronically ill individuals, including seven with diabetes, seven with mental disabilities, two with asthma, and three with hepatitis C. Additionally, 45 prisoners have other diseases. Gaire mentioned that the Palpa Jail team is providing special care to those who are chronically ill and those with mental disabilities.
There is one designated position for a health worker in the jail. Health worker Gaire further mentioned that they conduct medical check-ups twice a week and arrange hospital visits as needed. Additional nutrition is provided for those who require it, and prisoners are taken to Palpa Hospital, United Mission Hospital, and Lumbini Medical College for treatment. The jail administration provides medicine to those on regular prescriptions and arranges referrals to Kathmandu for complex cases as necessary.
Jailer Bhagwan Bhakta Aryal mentioned that health camps are timely conducted in the prison with the coordination and support of various organizations. Additionally, they have arranged for relatives of the prisoners to meet with them twice a week. Furthermore, prisoners are allowed to make telephone calls with their families four days a week.