The Zambia Correctional Service (ZCS) has announced that over 3,000 inmates living with HIV across the country are currently receiving Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART).
This milestone was shared during the ZCS commemoration of World AIDS Day at Solwezi Correctional Facility.
According to ZCS Health Deputy Director and Senior Assistant Commissioner Malimba Moola, the country has seen a significant reduction in HIV prevalence among inmates, from 23.4% to 14.3% over the past decade.
Moola emphasized the need for continued prison-specific interventions to address the HIV challenge, highlighting that inmates are a key population that should not be left behind in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The ZCS has been working closely with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs, and cooperating partners to address the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS among inmates.
With 3,982 inmates currently on life-saving ARVs, the ZCS is committed to ensuring that inmates receive the necessary treatment and support.
Moola also noted that inmates are among the key populations that should not be left behind if the country is to achieve the UNAIDS global target of reaching 95-95-95 by 2030.
He acknowledged the continued support that the Service has been receiving from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs, and cooperating partners in addressing the challenges caused by HIV/AIDS among inmates.
Meanwhile, Prison Health Advisory Committee Chairperson, Mwaka Chilinya, called on people, including inmates, to take action in their individual capacity by getting tested and seeking treatment to make a difference in the fight against the epidemic.
Chilinya emphasized the importance of renewed sense of purpose in fighting HIV beyond World AIDS Day celebrations.
