Accra: The Ghana Prisons Service has commissioned its first clinic in the Greater Accra Region, aiming to expand access to healthcare for inmates, officers, and local residents. The facility, located at the James Camp Prisons, includes an Outpatients Department (OPD), a ward, pharmacy, laboratory, and specialized units for dental and ENT services, along with antenatal and nutrition services.

According to Ghana News Agency, the clinic also provides social support services and is accredited by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA). Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, the Director-General of Prisons, highlighted that the clinic fulfills a vision to reduce reliance on external medical referrals and ensure timely healthcare within the prison system.

The initiative is part of the ‘THINK PRISONS 360 DEGREES’ programme, which addresses areas like agricultural mechanisation, welfare, rebranding, industrialisation, digitalisation, and advocacy. Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie revealed plans for an ultra-modern prisons hospital and a specialist facility to improve healthcare within the Service and called for support to achieve this vision.

The Director-General expressed gratitude to sponsors such as ABSA Bank, Fidelity Bank, UNODC, Kofikrom, and Tobinco Pharmaceuticals for their contributions. Mr. Solomon Mensah from the Ministry of Interior praised the reform, noting that the facility represents a shift from neglect to rehabilitation and dignity.

The clinic will be staffed by a 24-hour medical team, including doctors, physician assistants, nurses, midwives, clinical psychologists, laboratory technicians, and public health officers.