Developing a Proactive HIV Screening Service System Syphilis and Hepatitis C in Prisoners Under the Pun Suk Correctional Project

Abstract

Prisoners reserve the right to access healthcare services like those who are not imprisoned. Healthcare service is a fundamental right that is provided for the Thai population. Due to dense living conditions, prisoners are prone to have stronger severe symptoms from both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Most importantly, prisoners still have difficulty accessing healthcare services. Therefore, a disease screening process is crucial for new prisoners to determine their likelihood of having the disease. This process will diagnose if the prisoner has severe communicable disease as they might be an infection spreader in prison.

This study presents the disease screening process, which includes the preparation of medical supplies and equipment, a system for tracking prisoners, roles of medical staff, procedures for hospitals within the service network, and benefits from the screening process. It was found that the best time for the screening process, which prevents disease spread the most, is before imprisonment. Screening should also be conducted before parole to prevent the disease from spreading to communities.