Thyolo — Isolation and lack of HIV related activities for inmates is increasing infection risk for inmates while they are serving sentences and after they are freed, Thyolo AIDS Coordinator says.Thyolo District AIDS Coordinator, Davis Kavalo told Mana on Wednesday that inmates are mostly sidelined from most initiatives, a development which he says puts them at higher risk of getting infected and infecting others.
He said this on the sidelines of an AIDS Candle Light Memorial ceremony held at Thyolo prison.
Kavalo cited lack of information and encouragement as some of the factors leading to high infection risk in prisons.
"Inmates are mostly isolated from what is happening outside their walls and this puts them at risk as they do not get the important messages about HIV/AIDS. Sometimes there are new developments and they also need updates.
"They also need encouragement to go for testing and also encourage good behavior among inmates as sometimes they may indulge in sex with fellow men. This is risky as their chances of contracting HIV are very high. We want them to get the necessary information which promotes change and may also help them cope with life after prison for better integration into the society. They need to be safe in and out of prison after a long period of sex deprivation," said Kavalo.
He however encouraged the inmates to go for HIV Testing Counseling (HTC) which is also available at the prison clinic. He said they can get tested and use their time in prison to plan their lives in becoming responsible citizens.
Thyolo Prison Officer in Charge, Senior Superintendent Josephy Muhanda encouraged inmates at the function to seek early HTC by taking advantage of services available at the prison.
"We have some people whose lives have improved after getting tested and starting ARVS right here. Any inmate can get tested and we are also grateful that Government designated some money on Other Recurrent Transactions (ORT) to help people living with HIV, but we still need assistance from other organizations and people to help people in prisons," said Muhanda.
One of the inmates at the prison, Feston Khungo encouraged fellow inmates to go for testing to live healthier.
"I got tested while in jail in 2009 and I am on ARVs, but I am still growing strong and my friends need to do it earlier while they are strong," said Khungo.
"They also need encouragement to go for testing and also encourage good behavior among inmates as sometimes they may indulge in sex with fellow men. This is risky as their chances of contracting HIV are very high. We want them to get the necessary information which promotes change and may also help them cope with life after prison for better integration into the society. They need to be safe in and out of prison after a long period of sex deprivation," said Kavalo.
He however encouraged the inmates to go for HIV Testing Counseling (HTC) which is also available at the prison clinic. He said they can get tested and use their time in prison to plan their lives in becoming responsible citizens.
Thyolo Prison Officer in Charge, Senior Superintendent Josephy Muhanda encouraged inmates at the function to seek early HTC by taking advantage of services available at the prison.
"We have some people whose lives have improved after getting tested and starting ARVS right here. Any inmate can get tested and we are also grateful that Government designated some money on Other Recurrent Transactions (ORT) to help people living with HIV, but we still need assistance from other organizations and people to help people in prisons," said Muhanda.
One of the inmates at the prison, Feston Khungo encouraged fellow inmates to go for testing to live healthier.
"I got tested while in jail in 2009 and I am on ARVs, but I am still growing strong and my friends need to do it earlier while they are strong," said Khungo.
Nessun commento:
Posta un commento
Nota. Solo i membri di questo blog possono postare un commento.