Keonics to provide telemedicine service

With a shortage of doctors in catering to ailing patients across jails, the department of prisons will tie up with Keonics which has offered to put doctors and nurses on duty in jail and introduce the telemedicine facility.

As per the proposal, Keonics will install electronic equipment in the jail and computerise health chart of all inmates. In case of any problem, the specialists will advise the treatment accessing the information available on computer. The Keonics will charge Rs 30 lakh per annum, said Karnataka Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) K V Gagandeep. If this becomes successful, the facility will be extended to other jails.

“We have sought powers to appoint doctors on contract basis in jails. The government’s approval is awaited,” the ADGP said.

The department of prisons will open a shop at Gandhinagar in Bangalore on November 13 where all branded products manufactured by inmates of Bangalore Central Jail will be on display and sale. The products will be named ‘Jail Bird brand’ products.

Gagandeep informed that several leading companies had come forward to utilise the services of prisoners who have expertise in various vocations. He said 82 prisoners having expertise in carpentry and all prisoners in Karnataka who have expertise in tailoring have been brought to Bangalore Central jail and are made to work in their different vocations. The products include readymade garments, furniture, agarabathi, laddus, mysore pak, detergent soap, handicrafts and bakery items among others.

The prisons across the state will see construction of toilets. The state government has sanctioned Rs 4.04 crore for the purpose. As of now on an average there is one toilet for 20 prisoners. When the new toilets are constructed it will be one for 10 persons. The national average is one toilet for six persons, he added.

Gagandeep informed that 58 persons sentenced to death and lodged in Hindalga central jail in Belgaum are awaiting the final verdict on their mercy petition from the President of India. The department of Prisons is ready to execute the sentence if the President of India rejects the mercy petitions and finally orders that the convicts be hanged. The department has also identified a hangman.