Uttar Pradesh: 6 Gonda jail inmates test positive for HIV

LUCKNOW: As many as six inmates of Gonda district jail have tested positive for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).
The confirmation came during a random blood sampling of inmates after an undertrial tested positive a week back.
The authorities have now started preparations to get the HIV test done for another set of 300 inmates. The prison, as per the records, has over 1,000 inmates.
Jail superintendent, Deepankar Kumar, confirmed the development and added that a medical camp has been organised inside the jail.
“We have decided to first separate all the affected patients with the virus and send them to the district hospital to get their other tests also done,” said the officer.
As per the standard operating procedure, their barrack will be shifted. The in-house doctor has been apprised about the same and directed to keep a check on their health.
A senior jail official said that all the six found positive were prima facie found to be drug addicts and were caught in cases like theft on railway platforms, or in cases related to bicycle theft.
“They all came to jail in the past ten days only. We will, however, ensure that all the inmates lodged in the jail are tested,” he said.
A medical team has been formed in coordination with the CMO of the district and will keep visiting the premises until every prisoner is tested.
Additional CMO, Gonda, Dr Vivek Sharan, said that they would soon begin antiretroviral therapy for the patients of HIV.
Sharan also said that some of the HIV positive patients have also been diagnosed with tuberculosis and their proper treatment has begun.