PRI hosts roundtable in Kazakhstan on prison medical services in light of the Bangkok rules
PRESS RELEASE
On September 15th, 2011 a conference on the issue of the «Transfer of medical prison services to the Ministry of Health in the light of recommendations of Bangkok rules» will be held in Astana. The purpose of the conference is to discuss questions of health protection of women prisoners, reforms of prison health services and the challenges which impede the provision of medical services within the prison system.
This event is co-organised by Penal Reform International (PRI) in Central Asia, the Penal Committee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Public organisation “Credo”. The event is organised within the framework of PRI’s Central Asia’s project «Model programme for prevention of the distribution of AIDS/HIV and tuberculosis in female colonies» which is implemented with the support of the European Union. Representatives of state bodies, NGOs, academics, experts from Great Britain and representatives of international organisations will participate in the conference.
According to Saule Mektepbayeva, the Regional Director of PRI in Central Asia, “The issue of transfer of medical services to the Ministry of Health has been discussed for a long time, but until now the practical challenges of this reform have not been discussed publicly with participation of civil society, experts and all stakeholders. This reform is a part of the demilitarisation of health services and is a vital step to improve the health of prisoners and prison staff. For prisoners this is an opportunity to receive the full range of services provided by the state health care system. For prison staff this change is an opportunity for review of their status and working conditions. It is important to to ensure that this review had a positive effect on wages and social package. In general, this measure will allow us to solve the ethical problem of choosing between medical ethics and the interests of the penal system”.
MEDIA ARE INVITED to participate in the conference which will take place on 15 September 2011 in the conference hall of hotel «Grand Park Esil», at: Astana city, Beibitshilik str. 8, at 10:00 a.m. Registration at 09:00 a.m.
For additional information please contact Indira Barykbayeva, PRI project coordinator,
tel./fax: +7 7172 78 76 74, e-mail: ibarykbayeva@penalreform.org, or Karla Jamankulova, Press and Information Officer of the European Union to Kazakhstan, tel.+ (7172) 97-11-48, Karlygash.Jamankulova@eeas.europa.eu.