LAHORE: All prison employees will undergo a compulsory annual medical test covering blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and weight assessments.
This health screening of prison staff will begin this week at all jails across Punjab, as the authorities concerned have made regular health and psychological screening mandatory for all prison employees across the province.
According to an official directive issued by Punjab Inspector General of Prisons Mian Salik Jalal has directed every prison to organise a health screening camp every three months, while all prison employees will undergo a compulsory annual medical examination covering blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and weight assessments.
The directive has been circulated to all Deputy Inspectors General of Prisons and jail superintendents across Punjab. Moreover, the order said that employees suffering from depression or mental stress be provided with free psychological counselling. Prisons have further been instructed to promote physical exercise, sports and meditation to help reduce workplace stress.
Any employee showing symptoms such as severe headache, dizziness or chest pain must be shifted to the hospital immediately. It also requires every prison to maintain confidential health records for officers following their physical and psychological evaluations.
Apart from that, the prison employees have also been advised to avoid smoking, maintain a balanced diet and adopt regular exercise as part of a healthier lifestyle. If adopted and fully implemented, these measures would certainly minimise risks of hypertension, diabetes and heart disease caused by long working hours and the pressure of round-the-clock duties.
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