THE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Wednesday denied reports of a scabies outbreak at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and other prison facilities in the Philippines, saying the last recorded incident occurred two years ago.
In a statement, BuCor said Acting Director for Health and Welfare Services CT/Supt. Ma. Cecilia Villanueva clarified that no outbreak of the skin disease has been monitored in any operating prison or penal farm nationwide.
Villanueva said the last case of a scabies outbreak in BuCor facilities was recorded two years ago, when the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in coordination with BuCor, conducted an “Alis Galis” activity to address the problem.
Villanueva’s remarks came after the non-governmental organization Kapatid raised concerns about a possible outbreak of scabies inside the national penitentiary, citing severe overcrowding and water shortages in the facility.
Kapatid also alleged that it encountered difficulties coordinating with BuCor and NBP officials regarding its humanitarian request related to the issue.
Responding to the concern, Villanueva said the bureau has established protocols governing the entry of medicines into correctional facilities to ensure accountability, safety and prevent the entry of contraband.
Under BuCor procedures, medicines brought by relatives or other parties must first be deposited with the Directorate for Health and Welfare Services before being turned over to the prison pharmacy or camp infirmary for distribution to the concerned person deprived of liberty (PDL).
Relatives are also required to provide an itemized list of the medicines, with containers properly labeled with the PDL’s name.
Then, the pharmacist on duty issues a receipt upon submission.
Villanueva added that a valid doctor’s prescription must accompany the medicines before they can be approved for use inside prison facilities.
Medical officers or pharmacists are authorized to examine the medicines and determine their proper disposition.
According to her, the BuCor remains capable of addressing health-related concerns in correctional facilities and assured the public, as well as families of persons deprived of liberty, that appropriate measures are in place to respond to potential health issues.