Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Daniel Kashikola on Thursday 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.

Speaking at the same event, Acting Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Namibia Country Director, Katie Battey said for Namibia to be able to control TB/HIV and end AIDS by 2030, all stakeholders that deal with HIV service delivery in the country need to work together and implement the national HIV response to ensure individuals affected by HIV and TB have access to the same standard of care and treatment especially people in congregated settings.

“The U.S. Government is proud to be part of the partnership and to contribute to another successful effort led by the Namibian government. We feel privileged to do our part to help strengthen HIV prevention, care and treatment services in the country,” he said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency