Hospital offers high-tech health services for capital's inmates

State-of-the-art medical services are available for Beijing inmates, with a designated hospital on the grounds of the Beijing Second Detention Center, that cares for inmates with serious health problems, the city's Public Security Bureau said.

The center's 207-bed hospital treats about 200 inmates every day, Zhao Chunguang, head of the bureau's administration department of detention centers, told journalists on a tour of the facilities.

It is one of the leading hospitals in China and is equipped with CT and X-ray machines, a biochemical analyzer for blood samples, ultrasound equipment and dialysis machines. Video conferencing services are available for doctors to conduct preliminary diagnosis for patients in other detention centers, Zhao said.

With 255 doctors available, the hospital can guarantee quick and efficient treatment, and its facilities are on par with leading public hospitals.

The First Detention Center and the Tongzhou Detention Center in Beijing, which also opened their doors to journalists on Thursday, are also equipped with modern medical facilities to conduct outpatient care, and the Tongzhou center has specialists who can treat inmates who have psychological problems.

The centers are fully aware of the legal rights of detainees, Chen Guoqing, deputy chief of the Public Security Bureau, told journalists, and they operate fully in accordance with laws and regulations. The right of inmates to meet with lawyers is guaranteed, he said.

Complaints by those who feel their rights have been infringed upon can be lodged by calling the police's 110 hotline or sending an e-mail to the bureau, he said.

Zhang Yi contributed to this story.