Prison HIV Intervention Programme launched at Sajiwa Jail
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 06 2016: With high prevalence of HIV and other blood borne diseases among prison inmates greater than the general population, National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) in collaboration with Manipur State AIDS Control Society, Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa, Nirvana Foundation and FHI 360 launched 'Prison HIV intervention programme' at Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa, today.

Union Secretary and Director General of NACO, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of India, Navreet Singh Kang; Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) P Doungel; Country Director FHI 360 Dr George Bitra; MACS Project Director Hungyo Worshang and Deputy Director (TI) NACO, Dr Neeraj Dhingra, jointly inaugurated the HIV intervention programme.

Prison HIV Intervention Programme launched at Sajiwa Jail

The goal of the intervention programme is to improve access to and quality of HIV prevention, care and treatment of prisoners.

The programme will cover all the Central jails and select sub-jails/district jails in phased manner in all North Eastern States.

The programme will enhance institutional and human capacity to accelerate HIV/AIDS response and scale up and strengthen the quality of comprehensive package of services primarily for People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) at Manipur Central Jail.

The programme will be implemented by the Nirvana Foundation.

On of the key objectives of the Prison HIV Intervention Programme is for the implementing organization to seek necessary approvals and institutionalized systems for effective project implementation and monitoring.

The programme aims to improve access to health and HIV services for the prison inmates of Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa.

Onsite training for prison officials will be facilitated and access to HIV testing and treatment services ensured.

Prison HIV Intervention Programme is set to provide follow up care and support to prisoners especially with HIV or those with a history of drug abuse.

Addressing the inaugural function, Navreet Singh Kang who attended as chief guest said such intervention programme started some 25- 30 years back for the general population.

"Better late than never.

The programme has been extended for inmates of Central jail prisons to facilitate the service where prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection is much higher", he said.

He also highlighted the main objectives of the programme and the benefits it can bring to those inmates who are living with HIV/AIDS and injecting drug users.

"The programme will make the inmates brand ambassadors once they are released from prison after serving their terms to bring a change in society", he added.

Functional president P Doungel said there is no overcrowding in Manipur Central Jail which has fortunately reduced the chances of spread of HIV and other diseases among inmates.

Manipur Central Jail has 970 inmate capacities.

As of today, there are 689 prisoners among whom five are HIV positive.

"Till today there has been no report of homosexuality among the inmates", he added.

A brochure was also released by the dignitaries of the function as a part of the programme.