As many as 44 prisoners, including one female prisoner, have been found positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus in jail in Haldwani, said Dr. Paramjit Singh, ART Center Incharge, Sushila Tiwari Hospital.
According to Dr. Singh, the number of HIV-positive prisoners in jail is increasing continuously, which has created a stir in the jail administration.
Informing about the treatment of the prisoners, Dr. Singh said, “An ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) center has been set up for HIV patients, where infected patients are treated. My team is constantly examining the prisoners in the jail.”
“Whichever prisoner is infected with HIV is given free treatment and medicines based on National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) guidelines,” added Dr. Singh.
Dr. Singh further added that at present there are 1629 male and 70 female prisoners. After such a large number of prisoners were found to be HIV positive, the jail administration is also conducting routine check-ups so that HIV-infected prisoners can be treated timely.
Further details are awaited.
