The rate of being affected by Tuberculosis (TB) among the prisoners is 20 times higher than the rate among general population, a study said yesterday. International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) conducted the study in Dhaka Central Jail. The study led by Dr Sayera Banu, associate scientist of ICDDR,B screened some 12,464 prisoners in Dhaka Jail. It further found that 22 percent of prisoners who were found negative in TB screening in the jail laboratory were later found positive when ICDDR,B screened their sputum through 'culture' technology. The result of study was revealed at a dissemination seminar titled "Detection and Control of Tuberculosis in Dhaka Central Jail' held at the ICDDR,B's Sasakawa Auditorium in the city. Home Secretary Abdul Karim addressed the function as the chief guest. Inspector General, Directorate of Prisons Brigadier General Zakir Hasan, Executive Director of ICDDR,B Dr Alejandro Cravioto and TB and leprosy specialist Prof Dr Pravat Chandra Barua also addressed the function. Brig Gen Zakir Hasan said that with the existing facilities in the jails it is not possible to provide necessary medical treatment to the prisoners. He said that a large number of prisoners in the country's 67 jails are suffering from infectious diseases, including Tuberculosis (TB), while only 16 doctors are available to cover the total jail population. "Out of total 16 doctors for all the prisons, four are working in Dhaka Jail. So the rest of 12 have to take care of the whole country's prisoners. Further, with the present facilities, we can only inspect the prisoners, not provide treatments to them,' he said. "With the present facility, our doctors who are mainly MBBS, cannot provide proper treatment to prisoners. They only look after them and if any serious case is found then the particular prisoner is sent for treatment in other government hospitals,' he added. The IG prison said the present jail codes do not allow the authorities to arrange more medical facilities inside the jail. "According to the existing jail code, the prisons work as only character correction centre. As a result, the matter of physical health of the prisoners is not getting importance,' he said. Brig Gen Zakir informed the seminar that modification of the jail code has been done as per demand, but the reviewed codes are yet to be implemented. He urged the home ministry to take the issue of prisoners' physical condition into its concern. The home secretary requested the ICDDR,B to conduct more similar studies inside the jails. The government will seriously think about how the prisoners could be provided with adequate medical facilities inside the jails.