Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Daniel Kashikola today launched the guideline minimum package of HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) services for people in correctional facilities and police holding cells.

In his remarks, Kashikola said the guideline is aimed to enhance HIV and TB services to inmates both in police holding cells and correctional facilities by providing quality and effective antiretroviral therapy and comprehensive HIV prevention services to all persons who are in need as stipulated in the National HIV Policy of 2007.

He said the government recognised that many of the inmates are from marginalized and poor communities who often are without access to proper and regular health care, therefore admitted with poor health conditions.

Kashikola further emphasized that the ministry acknowledged that health care in detention facilities is integral to public health, hence effective health care to inmates ultimately reduces health care to people in the communities.

“The guidelines are in line with the government’s commitment to eliminate HIV/AIDS and TB-related deaths by 2030,” he noted.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency