Women prisoners in Jharkhand jails are facing serious health risks due to an acute shortage of medical staff, with none of the prisons having a single regular nurse despite housing more than 16,549 inmates, BJP state spokesperson Rafia Naz alleged on Sunday. She claimed that the absence of nursing staff has severely disrupted round-the-clock medical care in prisons.
According to Naz, women inmates are the worst affected by the crisis. She alleged that during menstruation, access to timely medicines and hygiene support remains inadequate in many jails. The situation becomes more critical for pregnant prisoners, who require regular medical check-ups, blood pressure monitoring and emergency healthcare. She also raised concern over women prisoners living with newborn children, claiming that the lack of continuous medical supervision places both mothers and infants at serious risk.
Naz further alleged that despite clear directives from the Jharkhand High Court to immediately fill vacant health posts in prisons, the state government has failed to take effective action. She also referred to repeated notices issued by the National Human Rights Commission following custodial deaths, claiming that these interventions have not led to any lasting improvement in prison healthcare.
The BJP spokesperson said that even the Inspector General of Prisons had formally written to the Principal Secretary of the Home Department seeking deputation of nurses and had acknowledged that 24-hour treatment facilities were not possible due to staff shortages.
Terming the situation an example of administrative apathy, Naz questioned the government’s claim of running a sensitive and welfare-oriented administration. She demanded immediate appointment of nurses and paramedical staff in all jails, establishment of special medical facilities for women inmates, and strict action against officials responsible for the continued lapse.