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Valley Doctor Treats Inmates at Medical Office

6 years 9 months 2 weeks ago Friday, June 09 2017 Jun 9, 2017 June 09, 2017 9:21 PM June 09, 2017 in News

BROWNSVILLE- A Rio Grande Valley doctor said he has a set protocol in place for treating his patients who are inmates to help ensure the safety of his staff and other patients.

Dr. Alex Sudarshan said he’s in his 26 years of treating people in the Valley.

As an eye surgeon, he said he takes pride in providing care to as many patients as he can, including inmates.

"Everyone is entitled to be taken care of in our society. So we started off just with – we take care of everybody," he said.

Dr. Sudarshan told CHANNEL 5 NEWS he and his staff work closely with law enforcement during inmate visits.

"The appointment is made. They work with us and we make sure when the inmate is going to be present and transported. When the inmate is brought, the inmate is always brought manacled and shackled and the inmate is always brought with two guards," he explained.

Dr. Sudarshan said patients who are inmates are brought in and out through the back door so they are never seen by other patients.

He added treating the inmates as quickly as possible is key.

"They are organized, examined, prepared, seen, finished, escorted back out and then the patients are allowed to come back. That way they are safe from everybody and other people are safe from them," he said.

The physician said if at any time he or any member of his staff feels uncomfortable they have to end the appointment.

Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio explained his staff is required by law to provide inmates medical treatment.

"Under the 8th Amendment… the Constitution of the United States tells me if we do not take this individual who is sick, that is cruel and unusual punishment," he said.

Lucio said the lack of certain medical equipment forces authorities to take inmates out of jail for some doctor and dental visits.

Dr. Sudarshan said they’ve never had a problem with an inmate thanks to the process his office has in place.

He said he will continue treating inmates in his offices with a respectful but wary eye.

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