Now that the clinic in Myitkyina prison has been open for a while it is time to see an update on how the prisoners' health had been improved. Or what activities take place in the clinic.

Jamie

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3MDG turns over new clinic facility for inmates
Myint Kay Thi
Myanmar Times
21 JUN 2018

The first of the four medical clinics built at prisons in the country with the support of the Three Millennium Development Goal Fund (3MDG) has been turned over to the government, an executive of the fund said.

The new health facility inside Myitkyina Prison in Kachin State, will provide basic health care, including diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis for both prisoners and staff.

The building includes a space for treatment, an office administrative room and separate areas for men and women patients.

“The clinics will make an enormous difference to the ability of prisoners to realise their right to health, a human right of all people,” Tomas Lundstrom, 3MDG fund board chair and representative from Sweden, said in a statement on Monday.

Prison health care in the country is very limited and the opening of the new facility in Myitkyina could greatly improve the welfare of its inmates, according to prison officials.

Hepatitis C, tuberculosis, HIV and cholera are common in prisons and labour camps due to overcrowding.

Tuberculosis and HIV are also significant health problem in the prisons. The 3MDG has been supporting the government’s tuberculosis programme under the Ministry of Health and Sports.

“The health facilities will provide for outpatients in prisons. Currently, doctors in prisons provide care for prisoners, and if a patient needs to be referred for treatment of tuberculosis, they can use the services at Myitkyina Prison,” said a spokesperson of the Department of Public Health.

The 3MDG is also funding new health facilities at Insein Prison in Yangon Region, Mandalay Prison in Mandalay and Lashio Prison in northern Shan State.

The 3MDG said the total cost of the four facilities will be US$1.2 million (K1.64 billion).

It said the health care facility at Insein Prison is expected to be turned over to the government at the end of this year, and the Mandalay Prison facility is due for completion next year.

The 3MDG is also collaborating with UNAIDS and WHO to develop standard operating procedures for strengthening health care services at prisons and labour camps.

https://www.mmtimes.com/news/3mdg-turns-over-new-clinic-facility-inmates.html