Psychiatric detainees in Bomana receiving treatment

Three psychiatric detainees kept at the Bomana Correction Institute have begun their treatment at the Laloki Psychiatric Hospital.

The doctor responsible for the detainees’ treatment appeared in court this morning with counsel in carriage of the case when the matter returned before Justice Panuel Mogish at the National Court.

The doctor said three detainees had started treatment and were undergoing continuous assessment.

These detainees were transferred into Port Moresby from other provinces to undergo treatment at the Laloki Psychiatric hospital but were not taken there from Bomana.

A lawyer for the detainees from the Public Solicitors office said the three detainees had filed affidavits in relation to them receiving treatment from the doctor at the hospital.

And for the purpose of review, the court will be expecting a progressive report from the doctor in March 2016.

The three psychiatric patients are among the 22 detainees who first appeared before Justice Mogish in October.

They include convicts, detainees still undergoing treatment and detainees who already completed treatment but are awaiting repatriation to their home provinces.

Most have been charged, convicted and sentenced to Laloki for treatment after they were found being in possession of banned substances. In this case marijuana.

Eight have been identified as fit and will be expected to be repatriated to their home provinces before November 31 as per the order of the National Court.

Failure by the Correctional Service to repatriate them will result in the Commissioner being held in contempt of court.

 

Author: 
Sally Pokiton