KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — State Minister for National Security, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr, says there is an active HIV programme in juvenile detention facilities across the island, geared towards improving life among inmates.

According to the State minister, the ministry has collaborated with the Health Ministry to provide inmates, between ages 12 and18 years, with the requisite medication stipulated by national guidelines.

“A phlebotomist is also employed and visits the facilities providing HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing,” he said.

The State minister, who has oversight for the Department of Correctional Services, was speaking at a Health for All forum, held at The Knutsford Court Hotel, in Kingston on Monday.

It was held under the theme ‘Putting Youth and Adolescents at the Heart of the HIV Response’.

Charles Jr noted that treatment from qualified health practitioners is also available to those incarcerated individuals living with HIV.

He emphasised the importance of partnerships in the fight against HIV, particularly the support provided by Florida-based non-profit organisation Health through Walls (HTW).

Through this organisation, a case manager was employed to assist with testing and to coordinate linking ex-inmates with care in their respective communities.

“This is an important intervention, as many do not adhere to their treatment programme upon release and those who do sometimes experience difficulties in accessing the required support or resources,” the he noted.

Globally, the World Health Organisation estimates that 10.3 million youth between ages 15 and 24 years are living with HIV/AIDS. Most do not even know they are infected and half of all new infections are occurring among young people.