SHIMLA: Chief Minister, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today, launched the ‘Himcare scheme’ for jail inmates, by providing Himcare cards to the prisoners at Model Central Jail Kanda in Shimla district.
He also presided over the launch of the Integrated STI, HIV, TB, Hepatitis (ISHTH) campaign in prisons and other closed settings at Kanda Jail.
The Chief Minister said that registration of inmates under the scheme has been initiated and 100 percent target would be achieved shortly.
He said that the State Government would cover the cost of premiums for inmates in prisons. Additionally, plans were underway to introduce a scheme aimed at educating the children residing in Bal Sudhar Grih of the State, he added.
The state government has given legal backing to the Mukhya Mantri Sukh Aashray Scheme, which provides comprehensive support to orphaned children up to 27 years of age.
This includes covering their education and hostel expenses, providing them with a pocket allowance of Rs 4,000, and offering financial assistance to construct homes.
The Chief Minister said that the integrated campaign ISHTH aimed to screen and treat 3218 inmates of 14 jails in the State and 1278 inmates of Juvenile Homes, Nari Niketan and Drug Rehabilitation Centres across the State by 14th June 2023.
"The State Government was making all out efforts to eradicate these diseases and was moving forward to achieve the target of eliminating AIDS by the year 2030," said the Chief Minister.
Health Minister, Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil said that this campaign was being run in jails across the country, which will continue for a month.
Appreciating the campaign, Public Works Minister, Vikramaditya Singh said that the State Government was ensuring quality healthcare to every person.
He said that through the Department of Youth Services and Sports, momentum will be given to the awareness campaign to make the youth aware of HIV and its prevention.