46 facilities, 15,000 inmates but only 2 medical doctors – Sad reality in Ghana’s prisons

It has emerged that the forty-six prisons dotted across Ghana have only two medical doctors providing medical services to over 15,000 inmates.

The Medical Superintendent of the Nsawam Medium Prisons, DSP Dr Lawrence Acheampong, made the revelation on Accra-based Onua FM, monitored by Adomonline.com.

DSP Acheampong called on other doctors to come and assist them in providing medical care to the inmates.

The GMA has identified overcrowding, drug abuse, poor diet and hygiene, infections and substandard healthcare as major challenges in the prisons.

Dr Acheampong also revealed that his outfit does not cater for only prisoners.

“We cater for officers and their families and those living closer to the prisons and visitors. We have about 500 officers in Nsawam alone,” he said.

He added that apart from the inadequate medical doctors, they face logistical constraints since the facilities in these prison clinics are nothing to write home about.

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