New report shows 2,000 inmates, 124 prison officers live with HIV
What you need to know:
- The government has unveiled a five-year plan to stem the rate of HIV spread in prisons, which stands at 7.5 per cent, higher than in other communities.
Dar es Salaam. A new report shows that 2,546 inmates and 124 prisons officers live with HIV.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ five-year plan on controlling HIV/Aids in prisons, which has been availed to The Citizen, shows that out of 38,000 inmates in 126 prisons, over 2,000 live with the deadly virus.
It also said 124 prisons officers live with HIV.
Commissioner Augustine Mboje of the Tanzania Prisons Services said on Tuesday that HIV had been spreading 7.5 per cent in prisons.
That was a higher rate than in other communities.
He was speaking at the launch of the 2019-2023 plan on HIV/Aids control in prisons.
“Under the plan we aim at creating awareness to prisoners, prisons officers and their families against the disease.”
The plan is supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, whose local co-ordinator Emmaculate Nyoni said prison officers and inmates would benefit from education awareness programme, which would involve treatment to protect human rights and maintain good health.
