MEDICAL MISSIONS. The Batangas Provincial Jail in this undated photo. The Provincial Health Office began conducting monthly medical missions inside the facility in May to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases among persons deprived of liberty. (Photo courtesy of Public Information Office Batangas City)
BATANGAS CITY – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) here has begun conducting monthly medical missions inside the Batangas Provincial Jail (BPJ) to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases among persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
In an interview on Tuesday, Dr. Rosalie Masangkay, assistant department head at the PHO, said almost 1,000 PDLs benefitted from their medical mission during the last week of May.
Masangkay said the recent scorching temperatures also contributed to the urgency of improving health services within the province’s main detention center.
“We are monitoring those with maintenance medication to see if their condition improves or worsens. We are treating several skin infections because of the extreme heat recently but there is no skin disease that is contagious,” she said.
Masangkay assured that her team will conduct regular medical and dental checkups, medicine distribution, and laboratory tests to prevent any infectious disease transmission in the jail facility.
She said the provincial government wants to reassure the family of the PDLs that the provincial government is taking good care of them while inside the facility.
“We are thankful that Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas and Provincial Jail Warden Atty. Genaro Cabral for their support to our recommendation to build an infirmary to effectively treat our sick PDLs. The moment an inmate comes in... we give them a check up,” Masangkay said.
She said the improved health services also include giving “special diets” to all sick PDLs to boost their recovery and ensure their nutrition.
Masangkay shared that essential medicines and vitamins are also provided for free by the provincial government to cure seasonal diseases like fever, cough, and colds, among others.
Aditionally, a dental mission is conducted every quarter and a free laboratory test such as chest x-ray, electrocardiogram, blood chemistry, and urinalysis is organized twice a year, she said.
Meanwhile, Joselito Eguia, administrative officer of Batangas Provincial Jail, said this support from the PHO is very crucial to preventing infectious diseases since the facility is overcrowded.
“Right now, the number of our PDL is 944 with 864 male and 80 female. Our population is crowded because based on previous reports, its capacity is only 450,” he said.
Eguia revealed that a new detention facility is already being built in Barangay Malainin, Ibaan, Batangas to help decongest the BPJ. (PNA)
