Bahrain: Experts discuss health care in places of detention
21-10-2013 News Release 13/171
Kuwait (ICRC) – A three-day seminar on health care in places of detention, organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), began in Bahrain today.
More than 40 health-care professionals and senior prison managers are taking part.
"The seminar will provide a forum for participants to share their experiences of the challenges surrounding health care in places of detention, and some of the programmes developed in response," said Gérard Peytrignet, head of the ICRC’s regional delegation in Kuwait. "It will also help them further develop the skills and knowledge needed to apply internationally recognized standards and principles in the management of detainee health-care needs, not least in the area of mental health."
The ICRC works closely with detaining authorities and health-care personnel in various countries around the world to improve health-related services in places of detention. The seminar in Bahrain was organized in coordination with the country's interior ministry.
"We very much appreciate the authorities' involvement in this seminar," said Mr Peytrignet. "It's essential that the health ministry be involved if we are to offer detainees a level of care equivalent to what is available for the population at large. We look forward to working with the authorities on implementing the recommendations that come out of the seminar."
For further information, please contact:
Fouad Bawaba, ICRC Kuwait, tel: +965 9787 9434 or +965 2532 2061
Dibeh Fakhr, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 37 23 or +41 79 447 37 26