Representational picture. PHOTO: Reuters
LAHORE: An accused in a drug smuggling case has examined optimistic for coronavirus in the course of the screening of prisoners in Lahore Camp Jail.
A spokesperson for the prisons division stated the check was carried out on March 22 and the end result was acquired the subsequent day. On March 23, the affected person was shifted to Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute for emergency remedy, from the place he was admitted to the Corona Isolation Centre of Mayo Hospital and continues to be underneath remedy. The accused was wholesome when he was delivered to the jail.
After the event, 5 under-trial detainees and a police official who was on responsibility on the premises have additionally been examined for the virus.
The spokesperson stated precautionary measures are being taken in jails as per directives of the Punjab House Division to forestall unfold of the virus amongst prisoners. He claimed that no negligence had been proven in tracing the affected person.
The spokesperson stated the premises the place the detainee was saved had been locked down and people who got here involved with him had been quarantined. The compound the place the case was reported has been sterilised with chlorine spray. Pesticides, hand sanitisers, soaps, gloves and masks are supplied on the way in which out and in of the jail.
In the meantime, in view of rising issues about coronavirus unfold within the nation, precautionary measures are being taken in prisons throughout Punjab to guard the prisoners from the illness.
There are greater than 46,000 prisoners, together with girls and juveniles in prisons throughout Punjab. On the directives of the chief minister, the Punjab prisons inspector normal has introduced a 60-day remission for shielding as a lot prisoners as potential from contracting the illness.
As per the info for February, there are 46,387 prisoners in 42 jails in Punjab. They embrace 716 girls and 551 juvenile inmates.
The remission within the sentences of prisoners will probably be carried out instantly underneath rule 216 of the Pakistan Jail Guidelines 1978. Punjab Prisons IG Mirza Sahid Saleem Baig advised the Categorical Tribune that the transfer may even assist cut back the variety of prisoners within the jails.
As a way to evaluation the preparations, the extra district and session judges not solely study the standard of meals supplied to detainees but in addition ask them about their issues throughout their month-to-month visits, he stated.
On this regard, a number of days in the past, Kasur Further District and Classes Choose Syed Ali Abbas, Jhang ADSJ Ejaz Ali, Jhelum District and Classes Choose Akmal Khan and Gujrat DSJ Mohammad Ejaz Butt visited the district jails. Mianwali ADSJ Mohammad Iqbal Harral additionally visited the Central Jail.
The IG stated the deputy inspectors normal are additionally paying shock visits to prisons throughout Punjab to evaluate the implementation of precautionary measures towards coronavirus.
He added that infrared thermometers had been supplied to the prisons and their hospitals, which have been getting used to display screen the prisoners for an infection.
Surgical masks have been supplied to the prisoners and employees by the jail administrations. The administrations have displayed lists of the signs and precautions on the interview sheds and admin blocks. The medical officers and paramedical employees are engaged on an consciousness marketing campaign towards the illness.
Mirza Shahid Baig stated directions had been issued to arrange particular well being desks within the prisons.
In accordance with an advisory, soaps and sanitisers have been supplied to all prisoners. Along with instructing the prisoners to cowl their face whereas coughing and sneezing, police officers are additionally taking precautionary measures whereas coping with them.
A letter has been issued to the superintendents of all prisons of the province, instructing them to take emergency measures to guard the prisoners and employees from the coronavirus.
The jail superintendents have been instructed to contact well being officers for checkup of prisoners, employees and guests. Moreover, they’ve been ordered to enhance sanitation and hygiene requirements in prisons. After receiving the letter, preventive measures and consciousness campaigns have been launched in Bahawalpur Central Jail, Faisalabad District Jail and different prisons to forestall the unfold of illnesses comparable to coronavirus.
Bahawalpur Central Jail Superintendent Shahram Tauqir Khan stated day by day conferences are being held between the jail administration and medical employees to make sure implementation of precautionary measures towards the illness. He stated there isn’t any case of coronavirus an infection within the jail thus far, however a separate cell has been arrange for sufferers as a contingency measure.
Lahore Prisons DIG Malik Mubashir Ahmed Khan presided over a gathering to evaluation the preparations. The assembly was attended by Kot Lakhpat Central Jail Superintendent Ejaz Asghar and different officers. The officers have been knowledgeable that it’s the duty of the federal government and jail authorities to guard the prisoners from coronavirus. The superintendent stated the Kot Lakhpat Central Jail administration and medical employees are taking precautionary measures towards the coronavirus and can proceed pursuing them till the virus is eradicated.
Whereas the authorities have instructed the jail administrations to hurry up security measures, 4 temperature weapons can be found in every jail to verify all guests and employees.
Medical and paramedical employees conduct a checkup for coronavirus signs when receiving a brand new prisoner at a jail after judicial course of. If a detainee is identified with the signs of the coronavirus, the case is referred to the district hospital, relying on the affected person’s situation.
As a part of the precautionary measures, separate coronavirus centres with a minimum of 4 cells in every jail needs to be established instantly. Cleaning soap and masks will probably be supplied to the inmates with the assistance of philanthropists.
The advisory says that the trial courts needs to be notified instantly about any prisoner who’s contaminated, to get permission for not presenting them for hearings till they recuperate.
Printed in The Categorical Tribune, March 27th, 2020.
