The jailbirds serving time in the over-crowded prison are suffering from skin diseases like scabies among others for the past two weeks. According to health workers involved in examining the patients, some skin diseases like scabies are communicable while the rest are transmitted by contaminated water.

Safi Ahmed, the prison guard, confirmed that about 300 inmates are suffering from skin diseases.

He also informed that the diseases were rapidly spreading since the concerned authorities have failed to provide timely treatment. Ahmed warned that the diseases could well spread like wildfire as the prison accommodates double its capacity. There are about 1,100 inmates in Birgunj prison.

The prison administration is said to have organised a health camp last week. Aasharam Hospital setup the camp following the request of the prison authorities. Dermatologist Dr Atulesh Chaurasiya said that 250 prisoners suffering from various kinds of skin diseases were examined.

But the patients were left in lurch after the jail administration could not provide the required medicines as prescribed by the health workers during the camp. Sub-Inspector Purushottam Subedi, prison security chief, said that the patients could not purchase the medicines during Dashain holidays.

Jailer Gopal Prasad Baral assured that the prison administration would soon provide medication to the inmates in coordination with the centre.