Health care for inmates in Maputo: is it feasible to evaluate?

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to carry out an evaluability study on the health care of inmates at the Provincial Correctional Facility in Maputo (EPPM) – Mozambique, also as from the description of health care structure and processes at EPPM, as from the description of the external and organizational contexts that interfere in health care. It is a single case study of a qualitative approach that applies the techniques of document analysis, direct observation and questionnaire. It was found that EPPM offers a precarious structure, lack of inputs and insufficient number of health care professionals. Inmates trained as peer educators or as ‘chiefs of health care’ give support to the activities of the medical facility propitiating their empowerment within the Correctional Facility (EP). The inmate health care in Mozambique is not an object of debate and is not addressed in the policies of the National Health Service, resulting in inadequate and insufficient care. The study affirms the importance and feasibility of future research to evaluate prison health care in Mozambique so that the implementation of actions can be based on evidence.

KEYWORDS
Health evaluation; Prisons; Public policy; Health services