Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: More than 65 inmates at Guwahati Central Jail tested positive for HIV. Many of these prisoners face charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Officials have yet to establish how the virus spread among the population.
Substance abuse is a suspected factor. Authorities offered no official confirmation on transmission modes. The facility remains silent on the current health of those affected. No details exist regarding their medical care or treatment plans.
The situation highlights a massive need for better screening and health services. Experts demand better preventive measures for the incarcerated. Addressing these health risks is now a priority for the facility. "The reported figures have also drawn attention to the need for adequate healthcare, screening and preventive measures for inmates, particularly those involved in cases linked to drug use."
Updated at 25th August 2026 at 10:00pm
Recent records show 38 inmates tested positive, including 33 men and five women. These cases surfaced during routine health screenings administered when prisoners first enter judicial custody, a process that also checks for hepatitis and other diseases.
The jail holds about 1,802 prisoners total, with 281 of those facing charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. While many of the infected inmates have a history of drug addiction, officials have not linked the infections to drug use occurring inside the prison walls.
Staff from the Assam State AIDS Control Society now maintain a presence at the facility to manage ongoing testing and medical care for the infected population.
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