Zambia Daily Mail, 3 July 2014
PRISONERS should not be left out in Zambia's fight against HIV and AIDS, Swedish ambassador to Zambia Lena Nordstrom has said.
"In order to continue working towards reducing higher incidence of HIV and AIDS in Zambia, reaching the population in the prison is important.
"These people are the most vulnerable and at the highest risk of HIV and AIDS infection in this country," Ms Nordstrom said.
She said this at Kabwe Medium Prison on Tuesday when she handed over a voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) centre to the Zambia Prisons Service.
The HIV and AIDS prevalence rate in the adult population outside prison stands at 14 percent and 27 percent in prisons.
The VCT centre would increase the number of inmates accessing VCT services in Kabwe and other related services.
It would also cater for Zambia Prisons Service personnel and surrounding communities.
Ms Nordstrom said scaling up VCT would help to save lives and prevent new infections among prisoners.
"The earlier an individual is put on a treatment, the better health outcome as there are many people living with HIV and AIDS and are living a health and positive life," Ms Nordstrom said.
She encouraged personnel manning the VCT centre to have a positive attitude in the provision of healthcare services to inmates and the community.
Ms Nordstrom commended Government for the positive strides made in fighting HIV and AIDS.
Commissioner of Prisons Percy Chato said the VCT centre would enhance the provision of health care services at Kabwe Medium Prison Clinic.
Mr Chato said the establishment of a VCT centre at the clinic has been welcomed by the intended beneficiaries.
"You will agree with me that the administration of the prisons world over is evolving at a faster rate and as I have always mentioned, the Zambia Prisons Service has not been left out of this paradigm shift," Mr Chato said.
He appealed to Zambia Prisons Service officers and the community to ensure that the VCT centre is well utilised.
He implored non-governmental organisations to support the Zambia Prisons Service in the provision of quality health care to inmates.
By KALUNGA MUSONDA
Source: Zambia Daily Mail