4.
What are the immediate health rights of a person under detention?
The arrested person should be examined by a medical doctor at the time
of arrest if she/he so requests. All bodily injuries on the arrested person
should be recorded in the inspection memo which should be signed by
both the arrested person and the police of icer making the arrest. A copy
of the memo should be provided to the arrested person. The arrested
person should be subject to a medical examination every 48 hours by a
trained doctor who has been approved by the State Health Department.
At the time of his release from the police custody, the arrestee should be
medically examined and a certi icate shall be issued to him stating
therein the factual position of the existence or non-existence of any
injuries on his person.
5. What are the general duties of jail doctors?
1. Their primary duty is to protect and promote the health of prisoners and
6.
to ensure that they receive the best care possible.
2. General management of a prison establishment (such as in control of
food and hygiene).
3. To promote prisoners' health and social rehabilitation.
4. Further, the doctor should adopt a proactive approach when the
prisoner's state of health is seriously affected and release on medical
grounds is required.
Give some example of violation of human rights in relation to
health care.
1. A hospital employs excessive restraints on patients, such as tying them
to a bed or wheelchair for hours each day.
2. Mentally ill patients are con ined without a set procedure or standard.
3. There are unjusti ied delays in reviewing whether mentally ill patients
must continue to be institutionalized.
4. Patients are detained in hospitals for their inability to pay bills.
5. Patients are quarantined unnecessarily.
6. A state fails to provide information on various health care services. For
instance, rape victims are entitled to obtain post-exposure prophylaxis
to prevent HIV infection, but very few are aware of this option.
7. Hospitals fail to provide information on patient satisfaction, clinical
performance and waiting lists.
UNDERSTANDING THE HEALTH CARE IN CUSTODY | 4