Guwahati: At least 44 prisoners have been found to be infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) in a jail in Uttrakhand, reports emerged on Monday.
According to reports, one female prisoner was found to HIV-positive among the prisoners.
According to Dr. Paramjit Singh, who oversees the Sushila Tiwari Hospital’s ART Center said that the government is becoming increasingly concerned about the steadily rising number of HIV-positive prisoners.
Dr. Singh stated, “An ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) centre 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) guideline.” he added.
According to the doctor, there are currently 1628 male and 70 female prisoners under lockup. As a result of the high number of HIV-positive, the jail administration has started routine checks of the convicts to treat those who are infected as soon as possible.