July 26, 2008	Saturday	Rajab 22, 1429

PESHAWAR, July 25: An African woman prisoner died of Aids here at Lady Reading Hospital on Friday. The woman, Ms Emalda, who was a Zambian national, was shifted from Peshawar Central Prison to the hospital in precarious condition two days ago.

It is learnt that the prisoner, stated to be around 30, was arrested in May last by the

Anti Narcotics Force and some quantity of contraband was recovered from her possession.

She was convicted by a local court and her prison term was scheduled to complete in December.

Official sources said that few weeks ago she was referred to Hayatabad Medical Complex where she remained under treatment at the Anti Retroviral Therapy Centre, a special ward for treatment of HIV/Aids patients.

However, she was shifted back to the prison when her condition improved.

“The prisoner was extremely weak and her disease was in the last stages,” informed a medical professional privy to her case. She was shifted to the hospital on Thursday when her condition got deteriorated.

Official sources said that a WHO funded project for screening and treatment of prisoners as far as HIV/Aids was concerned expired on June 30.

The government has given approval for extension of the project and now the Central Development Working Party would give approve it.

Following that it would be referred to executive committee of the National Economic Council.