447 female prisoners in Pakistan suffer from illnesses

ISLAMABAD: According to sources from the Ministry of Interior, there are currently 447 female prisoners across the country suffering from various illnesses. Shockingly, among these prisoners, 27 women who have been sentenced to death are also unwell.

The findings, conducted by the Hum Investigation Team (HIT), reveal that these female prisoners are grappling with a range of diseases including hepatitis, diabetes, allergies, as well as heart and blood pressure issues.

The breakdown of the number of ill women prisoners in different jails is as follows: 170 in Adiala Jail, 89 in Kot Lakhpat Jail, 31 in Multan, and 53 in Karachi Jail. This concerning situation highlights the urgent need for proper medical attention and care within the prison system.

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Among the women sentenced to death, five ailing women are incarcerated in Multan Jail, two in Jhang, one in Karachi, one in Harypur Jail, and one in Hyderabad Jail.

Over 1,400 women across the country are serving sentences in various jails for different crimes. Approximately 200 women prisoners have developed drug addiction, and nearly 100 women prisoners have lodged complaints of harassment against jail authorities.

Officials from the Punjab Department of Interior affirm that efforts are underway to alleviate the difficulties faced by women prisoners in jails. These efforts include increasing the presence of female staff in jails and providing regular medical treatment to sick and pregnant women prisoners.