Plans to Tackle Transmission of HIV and Hepatitis Among Prison Inmates

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Ministry has updated plans to tackle the transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in our prisons; and (b) whether the Ministry can ensure that all prison inmates are vaccinated for Hepatitis B.

The Member may wish to refer to the reply given on 6 April 2020. [Please refer to "Plans to Tackle Transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in Prisons", Official Report, 6 April 2020, Vol 94, Issue 129, Oral Answers to Questions section.]

The Singapore Prison Service's healthcare measures are in accordance with the Ministry of Health's standards and protocols. There remains no known instances of inmates contracting HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C while they are in prison. That said, there is a higher prevalence of some of these diseases in Singapore's inmate population as compared to the general population. This is not a reflection of active transmission within prison, but may be a reflection of what had happened prior to incarceration, in particular, for inmates who have drug antecedents.