Uttarakhand: 15 inmates in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar district jail have tested HIV positive, causing concern among the jail authorities. This came to light during a recent health check-up of the prisoners. A separate barrack has now been set up inside the jail for these inmates. Only those who tested HIV positive are being kept there, and their treatment has already started. Currently, there are around 1,100 prisoners in the Haridwar district jail. Earlier in 2017, during a similar medical check-up, 16 inmates were found HIV positive in the same jail. On April 7, a health camp was organized inside the jail where all inmates were medically examined. After the reports came in, it was confirmed that 15 of them had tested positive for HIV. These inmates have now been shifted to a separate barrack by the jail administration. Their treatment is being carried out following the standard guidelines. Haridwar’s Senior Jail Superintendent Manoj Kumar Arya said that the health camp was held on April 7 in the district jail on the occasion of World Health Day. All prisoners in the jail were tested during the camp. That’s when it was found that 15 inmates were HIV positive. Since then, all of them have been kept in a dedicated barrack and are undergoing proper treatment. He also mentioned that once the reports were confirmed, regular treatment was started immediately. At the same time, efforts are being made to raise awareness among the inmates so that there is no confusion or panic among the rest of the jail population.
