THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said no Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) have been affected by so-called summer diseases despite intense heat.
According to the BJMP’s latest statistics, hypertension emerged as the primary contributor to various summer-related health issues among PDLs last month.
2,578 cases of hypertension were recorded among the PDLs in March, followed by toothache with 1,673 cases while the three other leading ailments and diseases during the summer were acute gastroenteritis with 1,466 cases; boil with 600 cases; and gastritis with 554 cases.
According to BJMP Spokesperson JCInsp Jayrex Bustinera, there have been no reported hospitalizations of inmates due to these ailments and diseases.
However, they have ensured that all inmates receive regular health and medical check-ups to reduce the incidence of summer-related illnesses in every jail infirmary.
Currently, the BJMP oversees 482 city, district, and municipal jails nationwide, with 326 experiencing congestion while the remaining are not congested.
Bustinera reiterated that the bureau has already implemented measures to tackle these concerns, including the installation of industrial fans, exhaust fans, and air shafts in jail facilities.
