Doctors reluctant to do prison duty
REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE
A special consultative meeting was held in the Ministry of Law Balochistan to review reforms in the prisons of the province.
The session was held in pursuance of the Supreme Court directive. Parliamentary Secretary Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Science and Information Technology, Dr Rubaba Khan Buledi was in the chair.
The meeting reviewed the prison rules and manuals in detail and suggested measures for their improvement.
The meeting was informed that 18 posts of medical officers are vacant in Balochistan prisons.
However, due to the non-availability of basic facilities, the doctors on the payroll of the health department are reluctant to do prison duty. As a result, a large number of prisoners are deprived of basic treatment facilities.
Inspector General (IG) Prisons Malik Shujauddin Kasi said that the provision of facilities and welfare of the inmates in Balochistan jails will be ensured.
All available resources are being utilized for this purpose, he said, but hastened to add that the resources are limited and problems numerous.
The prisons department has identified these problems as well as formulated concrete recommendations for their solution. These can be implemented to achieve the goal of reform.
The meeting discussed issues pertaining to the establishment of funds, construction of separate waiting rooms for women in all jails, special vans for the transportation of women prisoners, appointment of doctors on vacant posts of medical officers in jails, and fixed daily allowance for prison staff.
Addressing the meeting, Rubaba Khan Buledi said that in order to make the prisons of Balochistan a practical model of reforming society, it is necessary to adapt them in a favorable social environment for human rights according to the contemporary requirements.
However, for this, it is essential to provide necessary training to the prison staff including basic facilities regarding laws and human rights awareness.
Along with the provision of facilities to the prisoners, attention must also be given to solving the problems and providing professional training to the prison staff.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th, 2023.