Rwanda: National round table to improve health services in prisons
24-07-2014 News Release 14/126
Kigali (ICRC) – A national round table on further improving health services in prisons, held in the capital Kigali on 22 and 23 July, was attended by 60 participants from the Rwanda Correctional Service, the Ministry of Internal Security, the Ministry of Health, and national and international non-governmental organizations. The meeting was organized in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
"The way that health issues are dealt with in prisons is absolutely crucial for the well-being of detainees," said Elias Wieland, deputy head of the ICRC delegation in Rwanda. "After this meeting, we will continue to pool our efforts and know-how with the aim of devising a plan for prisons, where government responsibilities are well established."
Discussions among the participants centred on nutrition, access to and quality of care for detainees, overcrowding, hygiene and sanitation, communicable and non-communicable diseases, human and material resources, health management information systems, and social activities in places of detention.
At the end of the meeting, the participants made a number of recommendations for improvements in cooperation between the ministries of health and internal security and the correctional service. In addition, they called for improvements in the nutritional status of prisoners, further training of staff, decentralization of the supply system, construction of a hospital for inmates, and the reinforcement of good practices in hygiene and sanitation.
For further information, please contact:
Emmanuel Kagimbura, ICRC Kigali, tel: +250 78 830 05 09
