BuCor and DOH Launch National Policy to Boost Health Services for Inmates
MANILA — A new national policy aimed at improving health conditions for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) across the Philippines’ correctional facilities was officially signed on Monday, marking a significant collaborative effort between prison and health officials.
According to Philippines News Agency, the policy, titled “National Policy on Promotion and Protection of Health in Jails, Prisons, Custodial Facilities, and Other Places of Detention,” was signed during a ceremony at the Manila Hotel. This initiative involves multiple agencies including the Department of Health, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine National Police, and the National Bureau of Investigation. The policy outlines strategic directions and allocates funds and resources to ensure the effective implementation of health and development programs in detention facilities.
BuCor director general Gregorio Catapang highlighted the importance of the policy in enhancing healthcare services provided to PDLs through the Directorate for Health and Welfare Services, led by Dr. Ma. Cecilia Villanueva. He emphasized that this policy ensures a strong collaboration among the concerned agencies, focusing on integrating PDLs into the National Health Insurance Program and making them eligible for Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) packages under the Universal Health Care Act.
Catapang also noted that the New Bilibid Prison Hospital serves as one of the satellite treatment centers for tuberculosis (TB) in the National Capital Region, illustrating the breadth of healthcare services that will be bolstered by the new policy. He reassured that PDLs in various BuCor facilities are provided with continuous 24/7 healthcare services.
The BuCor release detailed that the most common causes of inmate mortalities include pneumonia, cerebrovascular accidents, and respiratory and cardiac conditions, highlighting the need for robust health interventions in these facilities.