Measures to prevent further contagion limited visits to KIA.
ORANJESTAD— On April 15, 2025, an exceptional news conference was held to inform about the situation at Korrectie Instituut Aruba (KIA), where tuberculosis cases are present.
In the initial report on the topic, Minister of Justice Mr. Dr. Arthur Dowers stated that the prison's TB patient count had grown from five to eight. However, he claimed that KIA implemented all necessary safety measures.
KIA limited family visits to all detainees. Communication between detainees and their loved ones will be in digital form (video call) to avoid direct contact/visits with relatives. It also applies to cases that require the detainee's presence in the Court of Justice. To prevent detainee transportation and contamination of places outside the institute, they will do everything digitally.
Minister Dowers will meet with several experts on the subject, including lung doctors, hospital specialists, jail physicians, and public health professionals, to acquire an evaluation of the situation and choose the best course of action.
It was also reported that more people will undergo testing procedures to see if there is a greater contagion than what has been confirmed. The cases of tuberculosis began in December last year, although not in an acute form as they are now.
Minister Dowers indicated that it would be appropriate to conduct an investigation, given that not all the correct steps have been taken to prevent further contagion and learn from this for the future.
