Ministry of Public Health and NHSO Sign Joint Agreement for Disease Control in Prisons: Over 100,000 Inmates Infected with COVID-19, Influenza Most Commonly Reported Disease

The Ministry of Public Health signed a joint correctional agreement with the NHSO. Prevention and control of disease in prisons Revealing the numbers during “Covid” found a hundred thousand sick people, 207 people died. “Influenza” the most, go through 2 types of vaccination at the same time on the side of the NHSO. “COVID-Influenza” enters the board for consideration on May 1.

On April 24, at the Ministry of Public Health (SorTor.) Gen. Subin Chewprecha, the Royal Palace Department of the Royal Household 904, along with Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health (Sor.Phor.) and Mrs. Pongsawat Guy Arunsut Permanent Secretary of Justice witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation for the development of a system for prevention and control of major diseases and health threats For inmates in prisons between Dr. Taret Krassanaiwiwong Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, Dr. Chadet Thamthatcha-aree, Secretary-General of the National Health Security Office and Mr. Ayut Sinthopphan, Director-General of the Department of Corrections

MOU to take care of prison inmates’ health

Dr. Opas said that the signing of the MOU took care of the health of the inmates. to make the operation step by step There is development work to be more successful. return good people to society in terms of attitude lifestyle and health because inmates are limited in many matters Some cases when they have an old congenital disease, they will receive continuous care. And a large number of gatherings have the potential to cause communicable diseases or respiratory diseases. If there are good measures to prevent and control disease and maintain good physical and mental health This is in line with the intention of the policy and the Ratchathan Pansuk project.

Mrs. Pongsawat said that the prison is overcrowded. The health system is therefore important. Access from strengthening, preventing, monitoring, when an epidemic occurs, must be promptly resolved. In the past, there was a Pun Suk Correctional Project. and discuss relevant agencies Today, the signing of the MOU is very important in helping to keep the inmates healthy as an international standard. Even if they are offenders, they must take care in accordance with the principles of human rights.

Mr. Ayut said that during COVID, the prison had hundreds of thousands of infected inmates, we had more than 1 million doses of vaccination, some prisons had up to 5 injections. 0.02% for 2 staff deaths, from now on to the annual vaccination The Department of Disease Control confirmed that there was a vaccine ready. The Department of Corrections then informed prisons across the country to coordinate The director of the hospital. The host asked for the vaccine to be injected. and supported by medical personnel to enable self-injection in prisons For the prevention of various infections in prisons, we have screening according to the principles of the Ministry of Public Health. We have a quarantine room, quarantined for 7 days, and then we go to screen for another 7 days, not more than 14 days, that there is no COVID. will be classified to the appropriate territory In case of infection, they will be treated at the Correctional Hospital. At present, inmates are immune to fighting disease. People in prison shouldn’t have a problem. But new entrants must be screened because they may not have completed the vaccination dose and will be injected. For re-infection, there are about 2-3 times, but not severe. As for other diseases such as influenza, tuberculosis, new entrants must be screened for health checks. Have a congenital disease? how many vaccination or not yet injected Is there a psychiatrist? to post information for treatment during the prison

Epidemiological data of ’65 in prisons

Dr. Tares said that the main diseases in prisons from the Department of Epidemiology in 2022, there were 33 outbreaks reported, 3,586 inmates sick and 2 deaths. The most commonly reported disease was influenza, reported 18 times, 2,119 sick. From 1 Jan. to 31 Mar. 2023, 1,377 inmates were sick, 4 deaths, 911 cases of food poisoning, and 435 influenza. NHSO in increasing the benefits of vaccination for risk groups Screening sections such as tuberculosis, syphilis, sexually transmitted infections have cooperated before As for the annual COVID vaccination in the prison. will be injected together with the influenza vaccine, starting in May as well, because there are a lot of risk groups The goal is about 270,000 people in prisons per year to stimulate. However, the overview of various diseases. in prisons from good screening Providing rapid treatment, such as tuberculosis, all conditions are under comprehensive care.

NHSO responds to the policy to invite 2 types of vaccination

Asked about organizing a package to incentivize people to vaccinate against COVID together with influenza. Dr. Chadet said We are preparing according to the policy. The Minister of Public Health, who wants to make it convenient for those who come to receive both types of vaccination, may use the financial mechanism that we have. and see other activities with the Ministry of Public Health doing in the overview which will enter the NHSO board on May 1, will speed up doing homework in consultation with Ministry of Public Health how to organize the system which we have a budget of about 1,560 million baht since the beginning of the year It is scattered into pieces, including ATK checks, receiving Telemedicine services, going to drug stores. Covid vaccination cost In the case of prisoners The signing will have a mechanism to discuss benefits. of the inmates with the limitations of living together in prisons Causing sometimes the benefits are different from others, for example, being unable to receive services Offensive tactics must be adjusted. Our financing mechanism will be tailored to the group of detainees. instead of allowing the inmates to go outside Finances have to adjust. We have been doing this for many years. But in terms of benefits will be more focused. Like tuberculosis, we X-ray the lungs every year. Because I know that there are many people together. Unlike outsiders invited to check The NHSO, as a budget sponsor, is confident that it will work well with the Department of Corrections.

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