SWABI, Jan 25: A free medical camp was organised for prisoners of the Swabi district jail here on Thursday. According to doctors, most of the prisoners were suffering from scabies and there was a dire need to take remedial measures to prevent the skin disease from spreading.

The medical camp was organised by the Pakistan Tobacco Company.

District Police Officer Dar Ali Khattak inaugurated the camp.

PTC area manager Umer Asif said the company had also arranged such camps for the prisoners of Nowshera judicial lock-up.

Four doctors, including one lady doctor, were deputed to check the prisoners and treat them according to their ailments.

Out of the 263 prisoners, 220, including women prisoners were given treatment.

The doctors said that the prisoners were suffering from various diseases, including respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, arthritis and weakness.

Jail officials said the judicial lock-up was overcrowded, which led prisoners to different communicable diseases. They said the arrangement of such camps could protect prisoners from diseases.

The prisoners said that it was the first time that a free medical camp was arranged for them.