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The absence of healthcare workers in the district jail has caused difficulties in the medical check-ups and treatment of the inmates. After a healthcare worker in the jail went on study leave five years ago, no replacement was arranged, leaving inmates deprived of regular health check-ups and treatment services. In Arghakhanchi jail, a health assistant position is allocated, but the assigned staff member has been working at the District Public Health Office for five years. This has left the jail without a health worker, preventing inmates from receiving regular health check-ups and treatment, according to Jail Chief Pomakala Bhandari. She added that, without a health worker in the jail, the inmates must be taken to the Arghakhanchi Hospital even for minor check-ups. Bhandari added that with the colder weather, issues like colds, coughs, and other health problems are becoming more common. Basic treatments are available at Arghakhanchi District Hospital, but for serious cases, the inmates can be referred to the Provincial Hospital in Butwal or the Central Jail Hospital in Kathmandu.

Arghakhanchi Jail has an old building with a capacity of 25 people and a new building with a capacity of 100 people. Currently, there are 91 inmates, including 6 women and 85 men. Jail leader Ganesh Bhusal said they eat together in the mess inside the jail. Even though they care for our health, staying in close quarters within the jail premises sometimes leads to health issues. They are sometimes forced to send 10 inmates to the hospital due to illness.

Although the jail has its vehicle, when many inmates fall ill, they have to be taken to Arghakhanchi Hospital for check-ups and treatment, coordinating security and timing. Bhandari mentioned that, due to the high number of patients at the hospital, there are difficulties in waiting for their turn. Chief Bhandari stated that the concerned authorities are aware of the health problems faced by the inmates, and the issue of the health worker position has been raised every year. She added that they will make necessary efforts to fill the vacant health worker position in the jail.

The Chief of the Health Office in Arghakhanchi, Dr. Jagannath Tiwari, mentioned that the health worker assigned to the jail has not been placed on duty for over five years. Additionally, there is no possible way for another health worker to come. Currently, there are hundreds of inmates in the jail. Although there is only one health worker in the jail for regular health examination and treatment, the need for health workers has increased. Dr. Tiwari, the Chief, said they have made it easier for inmates to access free hospital services. Additionally, the problem that arises when the health worker position in the prison remains vacant for five years is something the concerned authorities should understand.

Kulbahadur Nepali