Gurugram: New inmates at Bhondsi jail to undergo five tests

The officials said along with RT-PCR test for Covid-19, they have decided to get Hepatitis B and C, HIV and urine tests done as the prison department wants to ensure timely treatment of any substance abuse cases or other ailments

Published on: Dec 19, 2021, 23:46:23 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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Authorities at the Bhondsi jail have started getting the new inmates tested for five medical conditions before they are allowed entry into the jail. The officials said along with RT-PCR test for Covid-19 they have decided to get Hepatitis B and C, HIV and urine tests done as the prison department wants to ensure timely treatment of any substance abuse cases or any other ailments.

Presently, there are about 3,100 inmates lodged at Bhondsi jail, the officials said. (HT archive)

Muhammad Akil, director general of police (prison), said on Sunday that this is the first time they are conducting these tests and rest of the jails will follow this initiative. “A thorough health check-up of every prisoner is done on the same day of his admission in the prison by the medical officer of prison department. Hepatitis B and C, HIV and urine tests of every newly admitted prisoner are being done to ensure timely treatment of any substance abuse or any other ailment,” he said.

Earlier, the prison department used to conduct only RT-PCR test of an inmate during admission and other tests were conducted during regular health check-ups. Many inmates tested positive for HIV and Hepatitis and got delayed treatment due to late diagnosis, said the officials.

Dr Gaurav Godara, medical officer of Bhondsi jail, said that on an average about 30 fresh inmates are getting admitted daily. “As soon as the inmates are brought to the jail in the evening, we conduct all the prescribed tests these days. The inmates are kept in isolation rooms unless their reports are out, and those who are found fit are sent to the barracks. Some of the tests are conducted through the Civil Hospital in Sector 10,” he said.

The officials said it becomes difficult to diagnose medical issues as many a times inmates do not share their medical problems.

Harinder Singh, jail superintendent, said that if any inmate is found positive for HIV they get their viral load test again and if still they test positive, they are sent for further treatment. “The positive report is only shared with the inmate and not even the family members and the inmate is kept in common barrack,” he said.

Presently, there are about 3,100 inmates lodged at Bhondsi jail, the officials said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More