An initiative aimed at improving the healthcare and welfare of inmates and officers in the Northern, North East and Savannah regions has been launched in Tamale.
Dubbed: “Prison Medicine and Equipment Bank,” the initiative seeks to mobilise medicines, medical consumables and healthcare equipment for prison facilities across the three regions.
It is being initiated by the Ghana Prisons Service to address challenges confronting healthcare in the prisons.
The initiative was launched in Tamale on the theme: “Prison health is public health: Strategic mobilisation of medicine and medical supplies for prisons across Northern, North East and Savannah regions”.
Present were representatives of the Immigration Service, the Police Service, the Armed Forces, Customs Division and the Prisons Service, among others.
Specialised treatment
The Director of Health and Community Corrections at the Prisons Service, DOP Joana Fofo Tackie-Otoo, said the initiative would also provide support for inmates requiring specialised treatment for rare and complex medical conditions.
“The health of inmates cannot be separated from that of the wider community because persons in custody will eventually return to their communities,” she said.
The director added that the initiative would help reduce avoidable disruptions in healthcare and ensure that prison health facilities were better equipped to respond to the medical needs of persons in custody.
DOP Tackie-Otoo appealed to individuals and organisations to support the treatment of inmates suffering from conditions such as diabetes, hepatitis and other liver diseases, skin conditions and cancer.
Sustainability
The Deputy Director of Administration at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council, Mohammed Shamsudeen Bawah, who represented the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, said sustained stakeholder support was critical to ensuring the long-term impact of the initiative.
He said continued support would enable managers of the initiative to mobilise and distribute essential medical resources to correctional facilities in the region and beyond.
“Stakeholder collaboration must be considered crucial to its sustainability because stakeholders are partners in development,” Mr Bawah added.
He entreated pharmaceutical companies, medical suppliers, corporate institutions, development partners, charitable organisations and individuals to support the service with essential medicines, medical equipment and other health-related resources.
Mr Bawah also urged the Prisons Service to establish effective mechanisms for proper management, storage, monitoring and distribution of medicines and equipment to ensure accountability.
Significance
For his part, the Northern Regional Prison Commander, DDP Obed Kofi Acquaye, lauded the initiative, saying it would help ease pressure on officers whenever inmates required medical attention.
