DUSHANBE, October 24, 2008, Asia-Plus — Representatives of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) will take part at the second Central Asian form on problem of drug taking and infectious diseases in prisons.
The conference formally titled “Access to Medical and Social Services for Prisoners in Jails and during the Transition Period after Discharge” will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan from October 29-31.
According to Kyrgyz media, the forum is expected to bring together representatives of criminal-executive systems from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan as well Russia, NGOs and international organizations.
Senior representatives of ministries and organizations in charge of health care in penitentiary institutions will discuss prevention and treatment of socially significant diseases such as tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, drug addiction, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in penitentiary institutions.
According to the penal directorate within the Ministry of Justice of Tajikistan, 14 penal colonies, including one women’s penal colony, and six pretrial detention facilities now function in Tajikistan.
A total number of officially registered HIV sufferers in Tajikistan in now some 10,000 people.
