Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - April 18, 2003
Anucha Charoenpo
Dr Somphob Sangkhutkaew, director of the health centre, said yesterday that TB had become a serious problem in its jails.
About 20% of the 150 inmates have the disease, he said.
Dr Somphob said serious cases were being transferred to the department's central hospital.
He said the Corrections Department could only afford to set aside one million baht a year to pay for the medical expenses at the centre. The budget was inadequate to cope with about 500 sick inmates who visited the place each day.
Apart from TB, many of the convicts sent to the centre also suffered from HIV/Aids, diarrhoea and eye infections.
Dr Somphob said on occassions he had to even tell relatives of prisoners to buy drugs from outside but the practice was limited to only prisoners from well-to-do families.
He called on the Corrections Department to pay more attention to their problems and urged that the Public Health Ministry also provide extra help.
Other prisons were facing the same problems, he said.
030418
BP030403
Copyright © 2003 - The Bangkok Post. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Bangkok Post.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .