Prison healthcare project
to be expanded to all locations

Initiative by WHO, Ministry of Interior, and Norway

The second phase of a project aiming to strengthen the prisons’ health system and to increase access to health services in prisons was launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities. It is funded by the embassy of Norway.

Services undertaken in the first phase will continue to be provided in the Roumieh prison, and will be extended to Zahle and Qobbe, and to women's prisons as well. Health clinics in prisons will be equipped with basic medical equipment and supplies.

“Phase two is a continuation and an expansion of phase one. All three entities are contributing in-cash and in-kind to the success of this project,” said WHO’s acting representative Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar

“WHO’s target is to include all prisons in this project. This is because we’ve seen the positive impact of the first phase,” Abubakar said. “Access to healthcare services is a universal human right that everyone is entitled to, including prisoners.”

He said: “Prisoners don’t have the freedom to move to healthcare facilities, that’s why we have invested in on-site clinics and provided them with the required equipment. The clinic of the Roumieh prison was upgraded into a primary healthcare center. It can now provide all kinds of basic health services.”

Special emphasis will be given to prisoners with chronic conditions including mental disorders and those above 50 years old.

The first phase involved improving access to health and mental health services in the Roumieh prison. The services included health education, mental health consultation, ophthalmology consultation, and renovation of the medical clinics. These services were provided by a team of nurses, social workers, physicians, and a psychiatrist.