HIV prevention among inmates a human right: IG Prisons
BI Report || BusinessInsider
Screengrab of Inspector General (IG) of Prisons Brigadier General ASM Anisul Haque speaking at the launching event of HIV/AIDS awareness training programme. Photo: Courtesy
Calling HIV prevention among inmates a matter of human right, Inspector General (IG) of Prisons Brigadier General ASM Anisul Haque has said prisons will be correctional centres and that must ensure rights of all prisoners as penitentiary collectively.
The IG said this while was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration programme of an online awareness training programme on HIV/AIDS for inmates and prison officials.
The programme, titled ‘Prevention of HIV amongst the Most at Risk Prisoner in Bangladesh’ was inaugurated on November 18.
The training is implemented by the Department of Prisons and Dhaka Ahsania Mission, supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said a press release.
The training will be conducted by HIV specialists in various sessions.
It is to be noted that the training will be imparted to the prison officers and staff and health staff of 13 Central Jails and 47 District Jails across the country in phases through eight batches under the supervision of Health Sector, Dhaka Ahsania Mission.
Iqbal Masud, Director, Health and Wash Sector, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, delivered the welcome address and the purpose of the training.
Brigadier General ASM Anisul Haque said people from different walks of life come to prisons, including drug addicts, sex workers, transgender people and people living with HIV/AIDS.
“As declared by the Prime Minister, the prison will be correctional centres and must ensure rights of all prisoners as penitentiary collectively,” he said.
Md Abu Taher, National Program Coordinator (Drugs and HIV/AIDS) at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said the spread of HIV inside prisons is due to excessive incarceration, unprotected sexual activity, and poor prison health services.
In his welcome address, Iqbal Masud, director, Health and Wash Sector, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, said that the active steps taken by the present government have greatly improved the prison management and human condition of the detainees.
“Following this, awareness programs should be implemented to prevent HIV and other infections among the inmates, he said.
