DOJ conducts medical mission for female inmates

The Department of Justice (DOJ), in partnership with other organizations, on Monday conducted a medical mission for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.

According to the DOJ, the medical mission provided women PDLs with free consultations, screenings, and access to medical professionals.

“This initiative goes beyond just providing healthcare; it promotes and restores the dignity of women behind bars. Justice can be delivered in the health and well-being of those in the walls of prison, as well,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Dr. Arnold Abalos, who represented Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos, stressed that everyone had a right to access reliable and free healthcare.

“We thank the DOJ and its partners for their unwavering commitment to catering to the needs of our women PDLs here at CIW,” Abalos said.

For her part, Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, who led the mission, said the DOJ believes that PDLs were entitled to humane treatment and services.

“We, at the DOJ, believe that these PDLs are not bad people. They are people who just made bad decisions in life. They are entitled to humane treatment and services with which they can reform and rejoin our communities as productive members,” she said.

She also extended her gratitude to the agency’s partners in the private and civil sectors. — DVM, GMA Integrated News