For the first time, hepatitis C patients will have the right to treatment in prisons

Medical services are provided to persons deprived of liberty upon their entry into the correctional system. Located in residential areas, they have access to health services at the ambulatory level, including general medicine, specialist care for chronic conditions, dentistry and mental health.

In addition, according to the PR Statistics portal, a telepsychiatry model of psychiatric assessment and treatment has been implemented, expanding the range of care.

U Puerto Ricothis situation has special characteristics, so Dr. Victor Ramos, the island’s Minister of Health, delved into this topic, “there have been reports at the United States level that the privatization of correctional systems is not only Puerto Rico have caused problems, so this is an issue that needs to be analyzed.

The position of the governor

The doctor noted that the governor will develop a state policy on this issue and request an appropriate opinion for its development, which should be considered the position of the governor, especially in an agency that is not under her direct management.

According to Governor Jennifer Gonzalez’s official website, the #AcciónPR initiative prioritizes the elimination of hepatitis C in the correctional system. Puerto Rico through an aggressive screening and treatment program. While the prevalence of hepatitis C in the country is 1.0%, in Puerto Rico reaches 2.3%. According to the Program’s statistical report Correctional health care (May 2023) affected 20% of the correctional population.

Although there is no vaccine, current treatments can cure most people in 8-12 weeks. Although Plan Vital has covered this treatment since 2019, it has not been available to correctional facilities.

Difference in service evaluation

In this context, the expert noted that the decision will not be made in the Ministry of Health, although it is recognized that this issue is given a certain difference. It is important to note that although the services are not completely satisfactory, the assessment of their quality depends on the specific level of medical care.

The importance of professional activity in the system

The Minister of Health noted that while there are many services and highly qualified doctors who provide excellent services on an individual basis, it is important to distinguish between the performance of health workers at an individual level and the functioning of the system as a whole.

“But it has to be evaluated by a new name or a new secretary of corrections and, together with the justice minister, if they ask the health department for any kind of recommendation, we’re here and we’ll give it to them,” he concluded.