CHRISTOPHER MUMBA, Lusaka
COMMISSIONER-General of Zambia Correctional Services (ZCS) Percy Chato says the HIV epidemic has struck inmates with particular severity at a prevalence rate of 27.4 percent.
Mr Chato feels only collaborative linkages with AIDS-service provider civil society organisations and international development agencies could provide adequate mechanisms of interventions.
However, the establishment of the ZCS health directorate has scaled up the number of inmates accessing HIV counselling and testing as well as anti-retroviral therapy (ART) benefits.
ZCS deputy commissioner-general Chisela Chileshe made these remarks on Mr Chato’s behalf during a technical forum on HIV prevention in prisons held at Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka recently.
“Currently, about 90 percent of inmates know their HIV status and 65 percent are accessing ART, while cases of stigma against those on treatment do not exist due to intensified HIV sensitisation and education campaigns.”
The technical forum was convened by Evidence for HIV Prevention in Southern (EHPSA) and brought participants from southern and East African countries.