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Assam Jails Face HIV Crisis: 226 Inmates Infected
31 Aug
Summary
- 226 inmates across 31 Assam jails tested positive for HIV.
- Most infected inmates are linked to NDPS cases.
- Severe jail overcrowding is a significant concern.
An alarming increase in HIV-positive cases has been reported among inmates in Assam's jails. Official sources indicate that 226 prisoners across 31 facilities tested positive for HIV between April and July. A significant portion of these cases are associated with injecting drug use, which is linked to nearly 95% of them.
Sribhumi District Jail has become a focal point, with 11 out of its 445 inmates found to be HIV-positive, including one female inmate. The jail, approved for 187 individuals, faces severe overcrowding, exacerbating health concerns. The state government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has pledged to investigate how these infections occurred within prison walls and to ensure affected individuals receive adequate medical treatment.
Efforts are underway to manage the crisis, with 202 of the HIV-positive inmates currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Security measures have posed challenges in transporting inmates to ART centers, leading to mobile ART teams providing services directly within jails. The Gauhati High Court is also reportedly seized of the matter, highlighting the seriousness of the public health issue.
