A female inmate testing positive for HIV was found in the Barabanki prison. Following this result, the health department is gathering information about individuals who had contact with her.
This case has drawn public attention because this woman was one of four accused individuals arrested and sent to prison in June 2026 on charges of human trafficking and drug smuggling.
A special camp was organized at the Barabanki prison to check the health of the inmates. After receiving permission from the prison administration based on a letter from the district tuberculosis doctor, Dr. Rajiv Tanden, the ICTC Fatehpur team conducted a screening campaign from August 24 to 27. This check examined various diseases, including HIV, tuberculosis, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C.
During the examination, tuberculosis was confirmed in four inmates, and one of the women tested positive for HIV. After the results were available, the health department connected the woman with the ART center at KGMU in Lucknow for treatment.
After the HIV diagnosis, the next task for the health department was to find out who had been in contact with this woman. According to officials, the process of identifying and checking such people is being conducted confidentially. The goal is to ensure that people who need testing or treatment receive medical services in a timely manner. Counseling for the woman is also being provided.
It is important to understand that a positive HIV test result itself does not prove that the infection occurred in the prison. The time or source of the infection has not yet been established. The woman whose HIV reaction was positive was part of the four accused arrested in June.
In fact, on June 21, 2026, the police of the Barabanki municipal area conducted an operation in a four-story building in the Pasar area, Siddhathanagar village. The police reported having information regarding activities related to alleged human trafficking and illegal drug trade. After the operation, the police sent four accused to prison, including three women.
During the medical examination in the prison, one of these detained women tested positive for HIV.
Previously, there was also a case of HIV infection recorded at the Barabanki prison. In 2019, during a medical examination conducted in the prison, 26 inmates were confirmed to have HIV infection. Following this, directives were issued to conduct regular screenings for diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis in state prisons. Now, several years later, another case of HIV infection has surfaced during a medical examination at the prison.
Currently, the health department's focus is on two aspects. Firstly, ensuring continuous treatment for the woman with HIV. Secondly, covering the people who came into contact with her for necessary testing. According to district tuberculosis doctor Dr. Rajiv Tanden, the woman was linked to the ART center at KGMU. Furthermore, CMO Barabanki Dr. Ranjan Gautam stated that necessary action would be taken after reviewing all the information. Further investigation will determine how many more people require screening in this case.