Mgcini Sibanda from the Zimbabwe National Network for People Living With HIV said inmates needed to get their drugs at 12-hour intervals but the authorities gave out the drugs at random times.
Counselling, nutritious food and condoms were also denied to prisoners, he said. “The government gives the impression that there is no sex going on in prisons, but it is happening and no protection is used, leading to the spread of the virus,” he said.
Drugs like cotrimoxazole are given to prisoners when they are available and it compromises the health and effect of drugs on the patients.
Sibanda said his organisation was lobbing government to at least provide and implement the minimum standards on ART.
Post published in: Zimbabwe News