Sixty Five Percent of prisoners in Zambia are aware of their HIV status. Commissioner of Prisons Percy Chato is however saddened that most prisoners die of AIDS related illnesses before finishing serving their sentences. He says the Commission is encouraged by government’s move to prioritize health saying the prisoners’ well being will as well improve. Mr. Chato also appealed to prisoners to disclose their HIV status to their colleagues so as to reduce stigma among the inmates. And one of the prisoners who is HIV positive told thousands of his colleagues that he has not faced any problems in accessing HIV/AIDS drugs. This came to light during the commemoration of the World AIDS Day held at Kamfinsa in Kitwe. Meanwhile Commissioner of Prisons PERCY CHATO has promoted a junior Prisons officer of Chililabombwe for going beyond his routine work to prevent suspected thives from stealing two new minibuses. Last week, Copperbelt Province Deputy Commissioner Milner Muyambango told Muvi TV News that Lance Corporal Justin Mwana of Chililabombwe Prisons while on his usual routine went with fourteen Prisoners to a farm near Congo DR border and along the way saw two minibuses being driven in the bush. Mr. Muyambango explained that Mr. Mwana quickly locked the fourteen prisoners in a house and fired warning gunshots in the air which forced the two suspects to abandon the minibuses that were imported from Nakonde by unknown people. The Copperbelt Province Deputy Commissioner revealed that the vehicles are currently parked at Chililabombwe police station. In an interview with Muvi TV News in Kitwe, Commissioner of Prisons PERCY CHATO said Mr. Mwana’s courage cannot go unnoticed. He says the high Prisons Command has sent him a letter of commendation coupled with a promotion from Lance Corporal to Sub –Inspector.

Continue reading here:
65% of prisoners aware of their HIV status

Related posts: