Red Cross trains prison staff on medical screening for inmates

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in partnership with Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) on Thursday commenced training for

Aleksandra Mosimann, Communication Coordinator of ICRC in a statement issued in Abuja, said the workshop was part of a wider effort to create standardised and systematic assessment of inmate’s health status.

Mosimann said 20 participants from 13 states would become trainers for the respective prison clinics in their states and further train clinical medical staff across the country in the coming weeks.

The coordinator added that an updated standard medical screening format would be usedduring the training for comprehensive screening of inmates.

She noted that “in the coming weeks, the training will commence in Adamawa, Plateau and Rivers. The training will together draw 30 public health staff from 24 states.”

Saira Gulzar, the Detention Coordinator, ICRC Nigeria, said assessment of inmate’s health should always commence from the first day of detention and subsequently be according tomedical needs.

ICRC Nigeria works to ensure the protection of lives and dignity of people in detention while ensuring access to clean water, sanitation, hygiene and food.