Eight prisoners serving their sentences in prisons in Jhapa, Sunsari and Morang have lost their lives since Shrawan. Most of the deaths are linked to health complications, delayed treatment, overcrowding and poor healthcare services within the prisons.
What you should know
Prisoners have been dying in prisons in various districts of Koshi Province in recent months. Eight prisoners serving their sentences in prisons in Jhapa, Sunsari and Morang have lost their lives since Shrawan. Most of the deaths appear to be linked to health complications, delayed treatment, overcrowding and poor health services within the prisons.
On Friday morning, 61-year-old Karna Bahadur Limbu, who was serving his sentence in Jhapa Prison, suddenly fell ill due to high blood pressure. He died during treatment at the Provincial Hospital, Bhadrapur.
On October 24, 53-year-old Sudhana Sardar was found unconscious in the 'B' cell of Jhumka Prison. She died during treatment at Inaruwa Hospital. Sardar was taking regular diabetes medication. He was serving a 10-year sentence in a human trafficking case and was receiving treatment in Jhumka.
Two prisoners died in Morang Prison on October 7 and 14 respectively. According to the prison administration, both had similar symptoms of swelling of the body and difficulty breathing. Muskan Danuwar, 20, was serving a 12-year sentence in a rape case. He died during treatment after being admitted to Koshi Hospital, said prison chief Gaurav Dhungel.
32-year-old Jit Prasad Sapkota, a convicted drug offender, was admitted to Nobel Teaching Hospital via Koshi Hospital after experiencing swelling in his body. He died on the night of Kartik 20. There are currently more than 1,100 prisoners in Morang Prison. Six prisoners have died since Shrawan, according to the prison administration.
All prisons have double to triple the capacity of their inmates. Experts say that overcrowding is increasing the risk of various diseases, pressure, and health risks. Another main reason for death is not getting timely treatment. Even if a sudden health problem occurs, most prisons do not immediately receive ambulance, specialist services, or emergency treatment. Rights activists say that this is why deaths are increasing.
There are many prisoners in prisons with problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney failure. They often die due to lack of regular monitoring and medication. Prisons also do not have enough doctors, nurses, health equipment, or medicines. In some prisons, health treatment rooms seem like mere formalities.
