A health assessment conducted recently at Jumla Prison revealed a concerning trend of an increase in rates of high blood pressure and diabetes in its inmates, along with new and developing mental health issues. The assessment was developed in partnership with Karnali Health Science Teaching Hospital, Jumla, through Janaswasthya Sewa Karyalaya, and comprised both physical health monitoring as well as the delivery of interventions for inmates at risk of developing chronic illnesses.
Out of 72 prisoners, 8 prisoners had been diagnosed with high blood pressure, and 12 were diagnosed with diabetes during the health evaluation. Also, there were numerous prisoners diagnosed with depression and anxiety or both, and approximately 25 prisoners were counselled on mental health and had assessments. The doctors stressed the need for prisoners to participate in regular exercise routines and to eat balanced diets to properly manage their medical conditions.
The health check performed by the health care team included many different health professionals: General Physicians (GPs), Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) and Hospital Managers/CEOs. Based on the complexity of the inmates needs, several inmates required hospitalisation or advanced treatment due to the complexity of their health status.
Additionally, five female prisoners are included in this review of the incarcerated population. These women faced similar challenges as the male prisoners both physically and mentally. It was also pointed out that inmates failure to have an adequate focus on mental and physical health could lead to long-term impacts on both prisoners themselves and on the administration of prisons.
Kiran Sharma, Chief, Janaswasthya Sewa Karyalaya, also noted that one inmates Mental Health was an issue for the majority of the inmates. He noted that many inmates suffered from mental health related issues, including but not limited to, Depression and Insomnia. In terms of mental health issues specifically, Sharma stated that competent mental health care must be available to inmates.
Inmates expressed a desire for assistance in overcoming anxiety, agitation, and insomnia during the nighttime hours. Health assessments will be performed every other month for inmates, as announced by the Health Office (in coordination with Karnali Health Science Teaching Hospital), so that the inmates can have access to medical professionals and receive necessary medical interventions.