The cases of HIV/AIDS in Karachi's prisons are increasing at alarming rate as the prisoners are without proper medications, it is learnt. Prisoners in Karachi jails were screened for HIV/AIDS last year. They said that some hundred prisoners were tested positive during the special screening campaign launched by Sindh Aids Control Programme (SACP) last year.
The campaign was started following the directives of Sindh High Court. According to statistics, about 1900 persons were screened in different Karachi prisons including Central Jail, Malir Jail and Juvenile Jail during the special campaign out of them some hundreds inmates were tested positive. Health experts termed the statistics as alarming, calling for proper medications for prisoners in order to save them from the chronic disease.
The report issued by SACP in May revealed Karachi Central Prison had only one HIV/Aids patients. Malir Jail has been proved the hub of HIV/AIDS patients, where 47 cases have been detected out of 700 prisoners. Sources said that prisoners of Juvenile jail have also been tested positive for HIV/AIDS. Deputy Program Manager of Sindh Aids Control Programme, Dr Qamar Abbas, could not be contacted for comment despite repeated attempts.
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