{"id":2810,"date":"2021-09-02T13:52:34","date_gmt":"2021-09-02T10:52:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/react-aph.org\/?p=2810"},"modified":"2021-11-20T01:26:27","modified_gmt":"2021-11-19T22:26:27","slug":"do-prisoners-have-the-right-to-quality-health-care-the-successful-story-in-react","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/react-aph.org\/en\/do-prisoners-have-the-right-to-quality-health-care-the-successful-story-in-react\/","title":{"rendered":"Do prisoners have the right to quality health care? The successful story in REAct"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In 2020, REActors received 225 requests<\/a> for help from representatives of key groups from Georgia.<\/strong> Out of that, 191 were qualified as human rights violations, of which 8 were related to prisoners. It is still extremely difficult to even record such cases – the country’s penitentiary system remains one of the most closed, there is practically no access to information, and people themselves are reluctant to share painful issues. But REAactors still manage not only to document the fact of violation of rights, but also to help in solving the situation. One of the real stories below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Help my child!<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The beneficiary’s parent applied to the Service Center of the Harm Reduction Program in *** city, saying that his child, who is HIV positive, is serving his sentence in Penitentiary Establishment #***. His health condition is particularly deteriorating, he is malnourished and his eyesight is impaired. Numerous appeals and requests for a medical examination were followed only by humiliation and an invariable “no” from the local doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The REActor immediately accepted the case and contacted a lawyer and a regional coordinator, who contacted the Penitentiary Service and the Public Defender to address the issue. After our intervention, the convict was examined by doctors, underwent all the needed examinations, X-ray and computer examinations. The beneficiary has the right to use the necessary medical services. If necessary, the medicines allowed in the penitentiary institution should be available to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does the Law say?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

According to Article 53 of the Law of Georgia on Medical Activities<\/em><\/strong>, when providing medical services to a prisoner, detainee, or captive, an independent medical practitioner is obliged to provide protection and treatment of his \/ her physical and mental health to the same quality and medical standards as non-detainees or detainees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important for patients to be aware of their rights in the penitentiary system:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n