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NHRC committee to format medical check-ups for prisoners

The National Human Rights Commission has constituted a committee to develop a procedure for the initial medical examination of prisoners.

Commission sources said the move was to curb the rising number of custodial deaths in jails, reported from all over the country. Very often the cause was complications arising from tubercular infection as the disease was diagnosed only at a critical stage.

"This is a violation of the prisoner's rights," they said, "Worse, it is a source of infection to other inmates."

The NHRC committee would develop a format for the initial medical check-up of prisoners, and the maintenance of their medical details.

The committee comprises NHRC director general (investigation) Shanker Sen, consultant Dr Hira Lal and Tihar Inspector General R S Gupta. It would also include the Commission's head of health services, representatives of the Indian Medical Association, National Institute of Communicable Diseases and an experienced doctor from Tihar jail.

Sources said though prison rules make it mandatory that a prisoner should be medically examined on admission, it was not done often.

The committee would lay particular emphasis on the metabolic, nutritional and general medical status of a prisoner, particularly in relation to communicable diseases, and predisposition to future complications.

The format may further include an indication by the examining medical officer as to the nature of medical and diet regimen the prisoner requires.

The Commission wants the format to be accurate and comprehensive. The committee has been asked to indicate whether confirmatory tests like x-rays, blood tests, scans and ultrasound investigations are needed.

UNI

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