Drug Shortage Hits Sunyani Central Prisons Infirmar

The Brong-Ahafo Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Prisons Service, ASP Vincent B.Ziniel says the Sunyani Central Prisons Infirmary Clinic has no drugs for the treatment of inmates.

He revealed that the officers at the station sometimes use their own money to buy drugs for the inmates when the need arises.

ASP Ziniel told SPACEFM in Sunyani called for help to address the dire situation.

He admitted that the clinic currently has a total of 870 inmates with only a little more than half securing the National Health Insurance.

He said that the delay in registration was due to the fact that the NHIS personnel attended to other institutions and therefore barely came around to conduct the registration.

ASP Ziniel again added that the cards are being kept by the nurses but are given out to discharged persons when leaving.

The PRO also pointed out that the clinic needed assistance because the cards were not beneficiaries of certain drugs prescribed by doctors when they visit hospitals and as a matter of fact, the officers sometimes had to purchase them by themselves.

"We will gladly welcome individual efforts too", he added.

ASP however made it clear that the prisons has seen no expansion though there has been increase in the number of inmates and passed a message across that, other prisons could help by alerting them of any vacancy at their various stations for a possible transfer of some the inmates.

Talking about relationship between the officers and inmates, ASP said there was a very cordial and lovely relationship.

"Some officers donate blood to the prisoners when the need arises and this clearly demonstrates the love we have for them", he added.

He finally advised for partnership in commercial farming between the service and the public.