SIDA et prisons en Afrique du Sud
The US has provided R3.8 million this year for training programmes for correctional officers and to launch an initiative to combat HIV/Aids in correctional centres, Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour said.
This emerged after Balfour and US ambassador Jendayi Frazer met in Cape Town on Friday to discuss expanding collaborative programmes between the two countries.
In a joint statement after the meeting, Balfour said HIV/Aids policy within the department was "prioritised at providing health care services to all inmates in accordance with national guidelines and protocols as determined by the department of health".
"This initiative with the United States ably assists us in providing preventative, treatment, care, support and awareness programmes to offenders with the specific aim of sufficiently equipping them with knowledge and information to protect themselves and others against infection within correctional centres and upon their release."
Frazer said the US was pleased to have been asked to support well planned efforts that would confront HIV in prisons.
"We believe that our contribution to the Aids programme will help the government as it devotes more and more resources to meeting this very serious challenge facing South African society.
"We also are pleased to help provide technical expertise so that correctional services' employees will be able to develop effective HIV prevention, care and support programmes to protect themselves and their families from HIV infection," she said.
The planned HIV/Aids programme was among the first of its kind undertaken by any correctional services department in Africa.
It was expected to serve as a model for the region, significantly reducing the stigma associated with HIV/Aids, and encouraging less risky behaviour in correctional facilities, the statement said.
The US has provided R3.8 million this year for training programmes for correctional officers and to launch an initiative to combat HIV/Aids in correctional centres, Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour said.
This emerged after Balfour and US ambassador Jendayi Frazer met in Cape Town on Friday to discuss expanding collaborative programmes between the two countries.
In a joint statement after the meeting, Balfour said HIV/Aids policy within the department was "prioritised at providing health care services to all inmates in accordance with national guidelines and protocols as determined by the department of health".
"This initiative with the United States ably assists us in providing preventative, treatment, care, support and awareness programmes to offenders with the specific aim of sufficiently equipping them with knowledge and information to protect themselves and others against infection within correctional centres and upon their release."
Frazer said the US was pleased to have been asked to support well planned efforts that would confront HIV in prisons.
"We believe that our contribution to the Aids programme will help the government as it devotes more and more resources to meeting this very serious challenge facing South African society.
"We also are pleased to help provide technical expertise so that correctional services' employees will be able to develop effective HIV prevention, care and support programmes to protect themselves and their families from HIV infection," she said.
The planned HIV/Aids programme was among the first of its kind undertaken by any correctional services department in Africa.
It was expected to serve as a model for the region, significantly reducing the stigma associated with HIV/Aids, and encouraging less risky behaviour in correctional facilities, the statement said.
posted by Dr Philippe Maslo at 08:24
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