Ghana Prisons Service opens medicines bank
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on 3News
Illustrative image · Maksim Goncharenok · Pexels · Licence PexelsThe Ghana Prisons Service has opened a medicines and equipment bank in the Western Region to improve access to healthcare for inmates. The initiative is to be extended to other regional commands after its launch in several regions, according to 3News.
The Ghana Prisons Service has launched a medicines and medical equipment bank in Ghana’s Western Region to improve prison supplies, particularly at remote facilities. The initiative is to be extended to regional commands after its introduction in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central and Northern regions, according to 3News.
Deputy Director of Prisons in charge of agriculture Ali Ababio explained that shortages of medicines, medical supplies and equipment made it difficult to care for inmates. He also said that transferring an inmate to an outside hospital could require an average of six prison officers per hospitalised inmate per day because of security needs, reports 3News.
The bank is to mobilise medicines, consumables and equipment from pharmaceutical companies, private institutions, healthcare providers, religious organisations and development partners for redistribution to prisons across the country. The scheme is also to support inmates requiring specialised treatment, including for diabetes, hepatitis and other liver diseases, skin conditions and cancers.
