■ CPDRC INMATES TESTED POSITIVE OF HIV

Fewer than five inmates in the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) were tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Isolated, they are now undergoing medication. However, Provincial Health Office Chief Dr. Rene Catan says isolating the infected inmates would be a violation of their rights. Catan believes the inmates may have acquired the disease before they were admitted to the prison facility. The mode of transmission has not been identified yet. Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III believes that the disease may have been transmitted through sharing of needles during drug consumption.

Not more than five inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) were tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Provincial Health Office (PHO) Chief Dr. Rene Catan then suggested that the inmates’ health profile be submitted before they will be detained so their medical condition will be known.

Catan said the HIV-positive inmates in CPDRC are undergoing medication and are not isolated from other prisoners.

He believes isolating them will violate their human rights.

“I suspect they acquired the HIV before they were jailed,” said Catan when asked where the inmates got the disease.

Gov. Hilario Davide III said the disease was probably transmitted through the sharing of needles during drug consumption.

It was Pacan who suggested to test the inmates of HIV during the tuberculosis screening that PHO held inside the jail.

The HIV testing, however, was not compulsory. /