Spain's prisons plan new HIV care despite treatment gains
Spain's prisons are set for new HIV care protocols: 96.66 per cent of people with HIV receiving care in custody were on treatment in 2024, but prison staff do not always have specialist support. Spain's Ministry of Health and GeSIDA, the HIV study group of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, have signed an agreement to improve care. The deal, reported from Madrid on 21 October 2026, runs for two years and can be extended for another two.
Why the gains are not enough
The proportion of prisoners living with HIV fell from 6 per cent in 2012 to 2.9 per cent in 2024, according to GeSIDA. No new AIDS diagnoses were reported among people during their time in prison in 2024.
But prison healthcare often falls to generalist staff who do not always have the specialist resources available to hospital teams. GeSIDA says that makes continued work on prevention, early diagnosis and care important despite the progress.
Training and prevention come next
The partners plan to draw up clinical protocols and train healthcare staff in HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment. People in custody will receive information on condoms and on medicines used before or after possible exposure to reduce the risk of HIV.
The agreement also covers better care for viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis. The partners plan to support research and tackle stigma and discrimination linked to HIV.
Topics: Health
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com