The Malaysian Prisons Department has been urged to make an application to the government to place at least two senior health officials at every prison in the country.

Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the placement was to provide health screening facilities and health checks for inmates and officials to prevent infections of critical illness in prisons.

"Besides, it can also prevent infectious diseases from being brought out of prison once inmates are released after their detention period," he said at the Parliament lobby today.

    

Wan Junaidi suggested priority be given to critical prisons that have long lacked adequate medical care.

"We are aware that there are prisons which are more than 100 years old, built during the British era and are among those that have not been 'upgraded' with satisfactory hygienic facilities," he said.

Earlier during the question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara, Wan Junaidi had said medical officers placed in prisons should regularly examine the cells and all parts of the prison to ensure cleanliness of the prison, health and diet inmates.

He said inspections were also conducted by the Health Department from time to time, in addition to visits and inspections of the prison by the Board of Visiting Justices every month.

"Any recommendations for improving the hygiene, health and other facilities will be dealt with promptly by the related prison management," he said when answering a question from Senator Syed Husin Ali.

- Bernama