VISIT TO HOSPITALS, DAR-UL-AMAN & JAILS OF DISTRICT KHAIRPUR, SUKKUR, LARKANA & DADU

FROM: 01ST TO 05TH MARCH 2015.

Sindh Human Rights Commission was established under Sindh Protection of Human Rights Act 2011 which received assent of Governor of Sindh on 09th June 2011 and Notified on 30th April 2013. The Commission was notified on 09th of May 2013 consisting of, Justice (R) Majida Razvi as its first Chairperson, two Permanent Members namely Mr. Prakash Lal Ambwani, and Mr. Gul Munir Shah both retired District & Session Judge as well as two honorary members Mrs. Rubina Brohi (Advocate) & Mrs. Salma Baloch popularly known as Amar Sindhu (Lecturer) Sindh University Jamshoro both active feminist and human rights activists. Two other legislators namely Ms. Sharmila Farooqui & Mrs. Parveen Aziz Junejo were also nominated as honorary members by speaker Sindh Assembly and thus the formation of Commission was completed.

The Commission has been working since then in spite of all sorts of constraints. As per its mandate it entertains written complaints, takes up Suo moto cases from media and other sources and visits jails, Dar ul Amans, Hospitals and other detention places and submits its Reports and Recommendations.

On 1st March (Sunday) 015, the Chairperson of the Commission, Justice (R) Majida Razvi and Member Syed Gul Munir Shah left Headquarters for official Inspection of jails, hospitals and temples to meet different segments of society to assess and get knowledge about the prevailing conditions and violation of human rights of people in general and minorities in particular as required u/s 4 (iv) of Sindh Protection of Human Rights Act 2011. The Commission started its visit, as per written intimation to all the Institutions.

Its first visit was to Central Prison Khairpur on 02nd March 2015 at 11:00 am. Mr. Aslam Malak, Superintendent Jail received the Commission and briefed with regard to prevailing conditions. He informed that one R.O Plant for clean water was installed and maintained with the help of Army people which is in working condition.

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He further informed that the filter of the plant is changed every month by the Military, thus continuous clean filtered water is being supplied to the prisoners at Jail premises. The barracks visited were found clean. However there were no separate barracks for juvenile offenders or any schooling or vocational training program were available, even laboratories were not set up for day to day tests etc by the Government. The SP Jail was asked to separate the juvenile offenders/ UTPs in a separate barrack to keep them away from hardened criminals.

While visiting the barracks the Commission was informed that there are 07 cases of Hepatitis who are being provided proper medicines through the courtesy of I.G. Prison. There were 10 UTPs who had fire Arm injuries sustained during registered Police encounters. According to him all UTPs have been given proper medicines by Jail Doctor. The superintendent complained of acute need of wheel chairs and at least two blocks of barracks for juvenile and other prisoners .He requested if two wheel chairs can be provided for urgent use. The Commission assured the help for Wheel chairs.

The Commission thereafter proceeded to inspect the Civil Hospital Khairpur

(Page: 03) and visited various blocks viz: Gynecology, Surgical, Medical, Cardio as well as Pharmacy and Neurology etc. This is a new hospital still under construction, and was found well equipped, neat & clean and hope will be maintained as such or may be in better condition.

The MS of the hospital who accompanied the Commission Members informed that it is 570 Bedded hospital, which is almost completed except four blocks which are yet to be constructed. He further informed that hospital was facing shortage of Specialists as well as W.M.O and Para medical staff which creates problems in attending the patients in the wards as well as in OPD. He also informed that posts of Neuro Surgeon & Pathologist are lying vacant and further that there is also shortage of Ambulances. The Operation Theaters were also visited and found equipped with modern machines. But there is no MRI machine available.

According to him the Labs are there but not fully equipped and there is no

budget to run them. At present these labs are being run on no profit no loss basis, just to facilitate the patients.

The Medical Superintendent informed that the Government of Sindh has

approved setting up of a Heart Care Centre for an amount of Rs. 52 Crores, for which tenders are yet to be invited. . Generally speaking, being new, the condition of the hospital was satisfactory.

(Page: 04) The Commission thereafter proceeded for Sukkur.

The Commission visited Central Prison Sukkur on 3rd March 015, in the

morning at 10:30 am. Superintendent Jail Mr. Shahid Hussain Chajjro was not present as he had left for Central Prison Larkana being incharge of the said jail also. Assistant Superintendent Jail in his briefing informed that presently 979 prisoners were in the Jail out of which 88 are condemned Prisoners and their appeals are pending in Superior Courts, since last several years.

It was also brought to the notice of the Commission that 37 UTPs of Terrorist

Wings of Taliban and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi are also confined in the said prison. However security arrangements were told to be satisfactory.

(Page: 05) The Jail has vocational training programmes for the prisoners. We could see

students busy with tailoring, carpet weaving and pottery making.

The Commission was specifically asked to look in to pending appeals of two Prisoners namely, Badar Khas Khdu, before Hon’ble High Court at Hyderabad Bench and that of one Abdul 80 year’s old prisoner before Larkana Bench since last six years and three years respectively.

The Jail Authorities further told that one convict namely M. Ajmal has served his sentence but is still confined for want of payment of fine of rupees one hundred thousand. He was directed to approach Zakat Council in this respect. The overall prevailing conditions of the areas visited by the Commission were clean but the barracks were in dilapidated condition as evident from pictures. The Assistant superintendent jail informed that the Diet was provided as per menu sanctioned.

After completion of visit of central prison Sukkur, the Commission went to

District Jail Sukkur where the superintendent Jail was not present and reported to have gone to District Jail Shikarpur.

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Assistant superintendent Jail Mr. Ghulam Shabbir Memon however briefed the Commission about the Jail conditions.

He informed that the capacity in the jail is of 550 prisoners, but presently 341

prisoners are confined out of whom 25 are Juvenile, (Two convicted and 23 UTPs), and all are being provided religious studies. He further briefed the Commission that there are 10 foreigners out of whom 06 are (Afghan Nationals. The overall condition of the Jail was not satisfactory. As the members were accompanied by jail staff, no complaint of any sort was received against Jail staff or about the diet etc.

The Commission thereafter proceeded to Dar-ul-Aman Sukkur where they were briefed by In-charge Darul Aman. In all 31 Ladies and 11 Children, a total of 42 inmates were there. She complained about insufficient security arrangements as only one Constable is provided by Police for security purposes during day time while no Constable is deputed in night.

The most surprising thing noted was that the Government only provides Rs: 08/= per person per day. The place was dark, filthy and overcrowded .The Commission was informed that Sindh Resource Centre is constructing a building for Shelter where, after completion the present inmates will be transferred.

The Commission then proceeded to inspect the Civil Hospital Sukkur and

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In the first instance took the round by itself. The condition of the Hospital can be said to be pathetic, dirty and not worth being called a hospital. Nothing could be worse than what was seen, broken compound and path ways, old rickety out of service ambulance and the entire compound littered with waste.

The beds were rickety outdated having no mattresses and sheets. The patients

were using their own blankets, sheets and Rillies on the beds and several patients were lying on the floor.

People were openly complaining of non availability of doctors and medicines and mal- administration.

The medical superintendent who joined later reported shortage of staff in the hospital and said that presently 116 Gazetted posts of BPS 16 to 20 were lying vacant. Further the staff needs to be increased as the strength of the hospital has been increased from 50 beds to 350 beds. And that about 1500 patients visits O.P.D. daily but staff in emergency as well as in O.P.D. is too short. He also complained that no pathologist is posted in the hospital.

(Page: 08) The overall condition of this Divisional Headquarter Hospital was the worst

possible. The building was not only old but insufficient for the patients and not maintained at all. There were big cracks in the walls, and floor was all broken. We wondered what will happen to accident patients. The prevailing conditions indicated not only the inefficiency and lack of interest of the administration but of insufficient budget and may be misuse of funds.

While visiting the Hospital the members were approached by some journalists

who informed that Hepatitis is spreading like wild fire in jails and a large

number of prisoners are suffering. They further informed that some prisoners

are admitted in the hospital also. After receiving this information the M.S. of

the hospital was asked to take us to the wards where the prisoners are kept.

The ward which was locked was opened by the security gaurds, the condition

of the ward was horrible the place had urine odor bedding was dirty and

patient had water bottle and dirty glass. It was so shocking that we would not

even keep animals in such condition not to talk about a patient suffering from

Hepatitis. He complained that there are several prisoners who are suffering

like him but they are not referred to doctors. The M.S. had no explanation for

the horrifying conditions of the cell and the prisoner. The picture above gives a

glimpse of the place.

(Page: 09) After Inspection of Civil Hospital Sukkur the members went to see SIUT Sukkur

as according to information received, it is a place which must be visited. The

Director SIUT was informed on telephone about the intended visit and the

response was more than welcome.

Dr. DaudPota was present to welcome the Commission and was taken round

different wards. The place was a pleasant surprise as it was equipped with all

latest machines .The wards were clean and beds had clean sheets. They have a

well managed water filtration and distribution system. A very good library

donated to SIUT. A place well maintained and managed.

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The Commission, on 04th March 2015 left Sukkur by road and visited Imam

Bargah at Shikarpur, which was destroyed by bomb blast. The members met the affected families and offered Fateha for all the departed souls.

It then proceeded to inspect Central prison Larkana where Mr. Shahid

Hussain Chajjro superintendent Jail briefed the Commission about Jail conditions. Mr. Chajjro while briefing, disclosed that authorized capacity of this Jail is 550 but presently 952 prisoners are kept therein. The breakup he gave was as under:-

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Number of UTPs ___________________________ 716. Number of ordinary convicted prisoner’s __________ 42. Number of life convicted prisoners_______________ 176. Number of Condemned Prisoners _______________ 18.

Total: 952.

He further informed that there are about 56 patients of Hepatitis who are being properly treated. Out of these confirmed 15 cases, 8 were of Hepatitis-B and 7of Hepatitis-C, none of the inmate were found suffering from of HIV / Aids, while only one was found suffering from T.B. He further informed that no Laboratories are provided at central prison Larkana as well as central prison Sukkur, though many letters have been sent to Health Department. The superintendent Jail further informed that two posts of Medical Officer at Central Prison Larkana are lying vacant and home department has been moved in this connection but till date there is nil response.

(Page: 12) He said although Dental equipment is provided but no Dental Surgeon is

posted as yet. He also informed that Ultrasound Machine is also available but technicians have not been appointed.

The Commission then proceeded to visit Dar-ul-Aman Larkana.

In all 11 Ladies including one child were present. The in charge informed that for security three Constables / Guard are deputed in day time and two at night with two private guards. She also informed that Police help is available as & when they are called. The building was clean and found to have been properly maintained. They informed that under NGOs several steps are being taken to improve the condition of Shelter. The two ladies were pleasant and well behaved with the inmates.

Commission thereafter visited Civil Hospital Larkana, where Medical

Superintendent briefed the Commission that the hospital has 1250 beds capacity, with a Nursing School, but neither Medico Legal Officer nor W.M.L.O. is posted in the hospital.

It was also brought to the notice of the Commission that the purchasing

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power for medicines etc lies with the Secretary Health and not with the Medical Superintendent with the result that patients face difficulties due to shortage of medicines specially life savings, in emergency or otherwise. During visit to the emergency section, Dr. Munir Sheikh the duty doctor, was found absent, Patients were unattended and complaining. The bed sheets were dirty and the general condition was not worthy of a hospital. The Commission had a meeting with members of the minority community in the evening which was scheduled at 5pm at the Dharamshala. The briefing was given by Mrs. Kalpana Devi a lawyer by profession and the secretary of the Council. The Members took a round of the entire premises including, the burnt area of the Dharamshala.

There were several complaints about violation of Human Rights particularly of

minorities and specifically with schedule cast woman, Conversion of young minor girls and their marriages. Several members spoke of their grievances and detailed useful discussion took place. The Community present was informed about the New Law on Child Marriage Restraint Act 2013 under which marriage of minors are illegal and is an offence. The Chairperson assured full support to the Community and said all of us will work for implementation of the laws and policies of the Government. In the morning of 05th March 2015 the Commission left for Dadu.

In Dadu the members visited civil hospital where Dr. Insaf Ali Magsi Civil Surgeon / Medical Superintendent briefed the Commission about the hospital. Thereafter various Wards of the hospital such as Gynae, Children and Cardio wards were visited. Although the building of the hospital was old and in critical condition but it was a well kept and clean place. The Medical superintendent while briefing the Commission told that no waiting rooms and bath rooms are available for patients.

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He further informed that five Dialysis Machines are available and in good working condition which were noticed during the visit to this ward. He emphasized that Urologist and MOs / Surgeon are urgently required in the hospital.

The overall condition of the hospital was satisfactory. The Medical Superintendent was found interested and devoted to his duties and working hard in running the hospital.

The Commission’s last visit was to District Jail Dadu.

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The authorized capacity of the jail was 250 prisoners but at the time there were more than three hundred prisoners and thus the Jail was found over crowded.

As per information provided, the production of UTPs in various Courts was slow due to non availability of Police escorts and transport. There were no hardened or convicted prisoners in this Jail but only UTPs who were facing cases in the courts of Magistrates.

The overall condition was good. None of the UTPs complained against jail staff or maltreatment or for not providing proper diet to them.

The Commission after the jail inspection, paid its respects at the tomb of

Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, and left for Karachi.

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