55,000 prisoners to be screened for various diseases: Dr Jamal Nasir.

RAWALPINDI -- Caretaker Punjab Health Minister, Dr Jamal Nasir, on Monday, said that 55 thousand prisoners in 43 jails of the province would be screened for various diseases till March 17.

He said this while inaugurating the health screening drive launched across the province at Adiala jail.

The minister said that on the instructions of caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, inmates would be tested for AIDS, hepatitis, TB, sugar and blood pressure, while their height and weight would also be measured.

Dr Jamal Nasir said that under the health screening program, all prisoners' tests would be carried out free of cost while free of cost treatment would be provided to the inmates diagnosed with any disease.

He said special counters had been set up in all the jails across Punjab where doctors and paramedical staff were performing their duties while a sufficient quantity of required medicines was also available there.

The minister informed that around 6,000 prisoners at Adiala jail would be screened, adding four doctors and 24 paramedical staff had been appointed at the Jail for screening the prisoners.

He added that upgrading the hospitals of...