UAE | Crime
Detainees at Al Rifa'a police station happy as clinic opens
Prisoners get access to health care following Gulf News report.
- By Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:14 May 28, 2009
Dubai: A clinic opened Thursday at Al Rifa'a police station in a move aimed at bringing healthcare services closer to prisoners.
Many suspects of different nationalities being held at Al Rifa'a Police station had earlier claimed they were denied treatment at the facility.
The clinic was opened after Gulf News published the pleas of prisoners who alleged they were not given proper attention by police officials.
The report detailed how the detention centre is "overcrowded", and inmates have no healthcare facilities. A number of them call a nearby pharmacy store to get their medicine.
Mahmoud, an Emirati prisoner, said yesterday that inmates were happy after the clinic was opened at the police station.
"We are very thankful to Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Nasser Al Rahma, who was instrumental in ensuring the clinic was opened at the facility," said Mahmoud.
Prisoners claim many of them are suffering from ailments. One Indian inmate is said to be suffering from a heart condition that needs regular medication, while another one has severe burns on his body.
Emirati Saeed Al Kutbi claims to be suffering from throat cancer. Another prisoner, a Pakistani national who was transferred from Sharjah central jail to the detention centre is said to be suffering from scabies. "I was infected at Sharjah jail where many prisoners are suffering from scabies," he said.
Payohi, a Korean inmate who is being held over a bounced cheque, earlier told Gulf News: "I am very ill. I have been here for 22 days. I am asking the police officials to take me to hospital or a clinic to have my swollen leg examined but they are refusing."
Payohi now says his condition has improved after his plea was highlighted.
"After my case was published in Gulf News I was immediately taken to hospital and was given medicine. My health condition is improving," he said.
He, however, has other requests that he wants the authorities to consider. He wants prisoners to be provided with washing machines to clean their laundry.
"All jails have washing machines. We need that too. We cannot survive in these filthy clothes," he said. The inmates also said they need a spacious area as the jail is overcrowded.
"The women's facility is empty as all prisoners [women] are now being detained at Al Aweer central jail so they should put some of us there as this will give us more breathing space," they said.
The prisoners are no longer getting their medicine from the nearby grocery shop as they now have a clinic.
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