NHRC orders probe into death of inmates in MP jails

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo-motu cognizance of a media report that that a large number of prisoners are dying in the jails of Madhya Pradesh as out of 51 posts of doctors 46 are lying vacant. Six out of 11 central jails in the state have no doctors. Not only this, all the 40 district jails in the state do not have doctors posted there. The jail authorities are somehow managing with the part time services of the doctors from the Primary Health Centres and District Hospitals.

As a result, prisoners suffering from serious ailments fail to get timely treatment. Even if, the jail administration calls a doctor, they have to pay Rs 500 as their fee hence only in very serious cases doctors from outside are called.

The NHRC has observed that the contents of the news report indicate towards poor health facilities in the jails of Madhya Pradesh. The state being custodian of the inmates is liable to take care of their health issues. Deaths of the prisoners in such a large number due to lack of medical facilities is violation of Right to Life and Health of the poor prisoners, it said, according to an NHRC release. Accordingly, the Commission has asked its DIG (Investigation) to constitute a team for an on the spot enquiry into the matter. The report of the inquiry is expected within six weeks.

The news report, carried on December 17, 2017, says that during the last five years, a total 733 convicts have died. A 56 year old convict died due to Cardiac arrest as he was taken to the local health centre and then to the district hospital only when his condition deteriorated. Two convicts died in the District Jail, Morena, during the year, due to Cardiac arrest. In a health camp organized in Morena district Morena, 42 inmates were reportedly found suffering from Tuberculosis.