Amid reports of an alarming rise of HIV-positive cases among jail inmates in the state, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state government will look into an HIV-positive case reported among jail inmates and examine the circumstances in which the person contracted the infection. 226 inmates across 31 Assam jails test positive for HIV in four months, sources told NDTV.
Sarma was asked about reports of HIV-positive cases among inmates in Assam prisons and whether the government was planning to conduct more tests in jails. “I have also been informed that one person has been identified as HIV-positive. “We will examine the matter in detail to ascertain how and under what circumstances the person became infected while being in jail. The government’s response comes amid reports about HIV infections among inmates in Assam jails and questions over testing and medical care for prisoners.
Earlier, Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal said Assam has approximately 33,000 active HIV/AIDS patients.
We have taken the matter seriously, and I believe the Gauhati High Court is also seized of the issue,” Sarma said. He said the government would examine the case in detail to find out how the person became infected while in jail. We will look into the reasons and circumstances and, at the same time, ensure that the affected person receives the necessary medical care and treatment,” the Chief Minister said.
