Homosexuality and congestion remain the main challenges that hinder the fight against TB and HIV/Aids in prisons. But the Kenya Prison Health Services director John Kibosia said yesterday that measures including screening and counseling of new inmates have played a big part in reducing the prevalence in Kenya's prisons. "The lifestyle in prisons including MSM (Men having Sex with Men) is a major contributor to the spread of HIV/Aids. But with the measures in place there will be a great reduction in the spread of the diseases," said Kibosia.
According to Kibosia, the number of prisoners in Kenya as at the end of August was 51,284. Of these, 3,455 are HIV positive, 394 have TB while another 97 have both HIV and TB. Speaking during the annual Kenya Prisons Services and International Medical Corps (IMC) planning in Mombasa, Commissioner of Prisons Isaiah Osugo called for more commitment from stakeholders to combat the diseases in prisons.
Osugo said more counseling is required as there are prisoners, especially the newly infected ones, are afraid to come out in the open and declare their status or get tested. "The damage caused by both HIV/AIDS and TB cannot be estimated. It is important to draw strategies that will minimize or prevent the possibilities of becoming a casualty," said Osugo.
IMC director of prisons programme Benson Ulo said the curb of homosexuality in prisons may be the best approach to reducing the spread of HIV/AIDs. He said measures like orienting the new inmates, which has been initiated by the Embu Prison, is the best way to curb the spread. "New inmates are the most likely targets of homosexuals. It is better they be warned of the warning signs they should look out for from the older inmates who may want to have sex with them," said Ulo.
By Brian Otieno
allAfrica.com