Inmates at the Ho Central Prisons are battling with scabies, an itchy and highly contagious skin disease.

This was revealed at a free medical screening exercise conducted by a team of medical officers at the reformation facility in Ho, the Volta Region capital, as part of the National Volunteers Day celebration, which coincided with the commemoration of Founders’ Day celebration Monday.

Scabies is caused by an infestation by the itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei that thrives in unhygienic conditions.

Head of Ho Polyclinic, Dr. Mary Eyram Ashinyo, who is also a fellow of the Mandela Washington Fellowship led a team of medical staff that conducted the health screening.

She said she has always wanted to bring quality healthcare to the doorsteps of the inmates, and hence decided to take up the initiative as part of the National Volunteers Day celebration.

According to her, the skin disease that has hit the inmates as well as other health issues are very serious and hence needed special attention.

The Akatsi North District Director of Health Service, Dr. Anthony Ashinyo, who was part of the medical team urged all stakeholders to be concerned about the scabies situation in all prison facilities.

The National Volunteer Day was initiated by the Ghana ThinkFoundation and geared towards encouraging Ghanaians to take up the attitude of Volunteerism.

Public Relations Officer at the Ho Central prisons, ASP David Apusiga, was full of praise for the team for their effort in ensuring a disease-free facility for the prison inmates.

The medical team is in talks with the prison authorities to arrange periodic medical screening for the inmates.