The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) assured on Friday, September 27, that appropriate medical interventions and decongestion efforts are religiously implemented in its supervised jail facilities to make the living conditions of the persons deprived of liberty "less uncomfortable."
With the measures in place, BJMP spokesperson Supt. Jayrex Bustinera noted that the initiatives help prevent the rise in the number of skin infectious diseases and other ailments in its jail facilities.
In ensuring the well-being of the PDLs, Bustinera cited the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Quezon City government in supporting the BJMP’s health and wellness cause with the conduct of the "mass treatment program" for the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory (QCJMD) PDLs suffering from infectious skin diseases.
The BJMP thanked the ICRC for providing the necessary medicines and medical supplies in the treatment of the infectious diseases of the PDLs and disinfection of tools and facilities within the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory.
The BJMP explained that skin ailments like scabies are prevalent in jail facilities since infectious skin diseases spread easily in tight-faced areas like cages.
The BJMP revealed that a "Scabies Prevalence Survey" conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) stressed the need for immediate medical intervention to address the growing cases of scabies among PDLs.
During the recent medical intervention activity, the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory said that all cells and tools were thoroughly cleaned and disinfected while the PDLs were treated with benzyl benzoate lotion, which was applied to their entire body.
"There were also [information] sessions for PDLs to better understand scabies: its symptoms, and how to treat and prevent it," the QCJMD said.
Currently, the QCJMD pointed out that the activity was the "largest prison scabies mass treatment" administered nationwide.
"This is also the first of several jails that the survey has serious cases of scabies to be addressed by the BJMP," it said.
“By making the right policies and response, we can prevent and contain scabies in jails. So, we can preserve the dignity and humane treatment of PDL," the QCJMD continued.
A few months back, an estimated 600 PDLs in BJMP-manned jails in the National Capital Region (NCR) were afflicted with boil, scabies and other skin ailments especially during extreme hot conditions.
Bustinera assured that the BJMP continuously coordinates with the Department of Health (DOH), the local government units (LGUs) and other cause-oriented groups to improve the living conditions of the bureau’s PDLs.