In Sri Lanka, it has long been an open secret that politicians and wealthy businessmen, when remanded and sent to prison, frequently avoid standard incarceration by using their influence to secure a stay in the prison hospital.
Instead of enduring the hardships of a regular prison cell like ordinary inmates, these influential figures manipulate the system by obtaining medical certificates from prison doctors, claiming illness as an excuse for preferential treatment. Rumors are rampant that doctors are bribed with substantial sums to issue these fake certificates, allowing high-profile inmates to evade true imprisonment.
For the average person, this kind of special treatment is unheard of, highlighting a gross injustice that has been allowed to persist within the penal system.
This practice not only undermines the integrity of the justice system but also casts a shadow over the medical profession, implicating doctors in corrupt activities that favor the rich and powerful.
As the new government takes charge, it is believed that they will shortly put an end to this deeply entrenched corruption. A firm and clear policy needs to be established to hold doctors accountable if they are caught issuing bogus medical certificates for the benefit of influential prisoners. The solution should commence with imposing severe consequences for such actions. The government should aim to ensure that any doctor found guilty of providing fraudulent medical certificates not only loses their medical license but also faces imprisonment themselves. These measures are bound to send a clear message that corruption will no longer be tolerated, regardless of one’s status or position.
To strengthen a policy as such, the government should introduce “Police Doctors”, a specialized team of medical professionals who operate independently from the prison system. These doctors should conduct random checks on prison hospitals to verify the legitimacy of inmates’ medical conditions. If discrepancies are found, immediate investigations should follow, and any evidence of fraudulent activity should result in swift prosecution. This additional layer of scrutiny should serve as a deterrent to prison doctors who might be tempted to engage in corrupt practices.
Furthermore, best practices for the prison healthcare system should be established and strictly enforced. All medical examinations of remanded prisoners should be thoroughly documented, with medical records made available for review by independent medical boards. These boards should have the authority to audit prison hospitals regularly, ensuring that all inmates receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of their social or political standing. Inmates claiming medical issues should be examined by multiple doctors, and the process should be transparent to prevent any single doctor from influencing decisions in isolation.
To create a culture of accountability, the government could also consider implementing a whistleblower system where medical staff or other personnel within the prison system can report unethical behavior without fear of reprisal. This system would encourage honesty and integrity within the medical profession, reinforcing the message that providing preferential treatment in exchange for bribes is a criminal act that will not be tolerated.
The new government’s commitment to cleaning up the prison system must be more than just words. By taking firm and decisive action to punish those who abuse their power, it can restore faith in the justice system and ensure that no one is above the law. The practice of using influence to escape true punishment should be a relic of the past.
By holding corrupt doctors accountable and implementing rigorous checks and balances, Sri Lanka can build a fairer, more just society where the rule of law applies to everyone equally whether rich or poor.
This stark warning should serve as a powerful deterrent for those who seek to manipulate the system, ensuring that such corrupt practices become a thing of the past. Only by enforcing stringent measures and holding all parties accountable can the country begin to restore integrity to its prison system.
Send these doctors to jail. Some of them are as bad as the Politicians or maybe worse. Carnivores and scavengers they are. Skinning patients alive and siding with politicians for positions and promotions.