More than 50 inmates at Wau Central Prison in Western Bahr el Ghazal State have been diagnosed with skin diseases as the facility struggles with poor sanitation and a lack of medical supplies, officials said Thursday.
Prison director Maj. Gen. Andrea Masharanga said the prison is currently housing more than 1,000 inmates, including women and juveniles, under extremely difficult conditions. He linked the outbreak to overflowing sewage, inadequate drainage, and overcrowding.
“We don’t have drainage trucks. There is an outbreak of skin disease — even I have it — and the number of affected inmates is increasing,” Masharanga said. About 50 inmates have been referred to Wau Teaching Hospital for treatment.
The prison has received limited assistance from the state Ministry of Health and Sikka Hadid Catholic Health Hospital, which have provided periodic medical support.
Masharanga appealed for urgent intervention, warning that the worsening situation threatens the health and rehabilitation of inmates.
Leave a Reply