A Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Vanuatu Correctional Services Department and the Red Cross Society will now enable detainees direct in-house nursing services at their centres.
The Daily Post newspaper reports that the move addresses key issues affecting the country's prisons which have been plagued by a series of escapes in the past year, partly by ensuring against escapes by high risk inmates when visiting the public hospital.
The Vanuatu Red Cross Chief Executive Officer, Jacqueline De Gaillande, says they will provide nursing care to the detainees on a six hour-per-week basis.
Ms De Gaillande said the serving nurse will attend to minor illness but if detainees are seriously ill they will be referred to a registered Doctor or the hospital.
