PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
At least 15 inmates at the Haridwar district jail have tested positive for HIV during a recent health screening. The revelation has caused concern within the jail administration, prompting immediate action to manage the situation.
According to Haridwar’s senior jail superintendent Manoj Kumar Arya, a health screening camp was organised on April 7 on the occasion of World Health Day. The camp included comprehensive medical checkups for all inmates of the district jail. “All new inmates go through health screening that also includes HIV tests.
It was during this initiative that 15 inmates were found to be HIV positive. Following the confirmation, the jail authorities arranged for a separate barrack to house these inmates and initiated their medical treatment. All necessary medical support is being provided and efforts are also underway to ensure awareness and prevent panic among other inmates.
The Jail administration is committed to maintaining a safe and informed environment for all prisoners,” he said. He also informed that Haridwar District Jail houses around 1,100 inmates. Besides this, the Haridwar chief medical officer Dr RK Singh claimed that these 15 inmates were HIV positive since 2021, way before their arrest, and did not get infected recently in jail as claimed by some people. He said that all the required guidelines are being followed regarding their treatment.
It is pertinent to mention here that this is not the first such incident in Haridwar. Back in 2017, 16 inmates were also diagnosed as HIV positive during a similar medical examination. As per the officials, Haridwar district has reportedly recorded a total of 916 HIV positive cases between 2021 and 2024, highlighting a persistent public health concern in the region.
The officials said that the administration continues to monitor the situation closely and is taking steps to provide both medical care and psychological support to those affected, while also reinforcing awareness to dispel any myths or misunderstandings about the disease among the inmates.
The incident adds to the growing number of HIV cases being reported in Uttarakhand, particularly in districts like Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital. Since the formation of the State, these districts have consistently recorded higher numbers of HIV-positive cases, prompting health authorities to maintain continuous surveillance and preventive programmes.
