(ARV) sites in Pietermaritzburg Correctional Centre
26 September 2006
Correctional Services Deputy Minister Loretta Jacobus says the accreditation
of correctional centres as ARV sites assists the department in improving turn
around times in the roll out of its comprehensive HIV and AIDS management
plan.
Ms Jacobus today (26 September) launched Qalakabusha and Pietermaritzburg
correctional centres as accredited sites for the administration of ARVs, as
part of the Corrections Week set for 25 to 29 September 2006. She said the
accreditation by the Department of Health will not just help speed up the
delivery of health care services to HIV positive offenders, but will minimise
risks of escapes and public exposure to dangerous offenders. Qalakabusha in
Empangeni, Pietermaritzburg, Durban-Westville in KwaZulu Natal and Grootvlei in
Free State are ARV accredited sites in Correctional Services.
Addressing hundreds of offenders, families, officials and members of the
public at the Pietermaritzburg Correctional Centre, Ms Jacobus said government
is making good progress in its onslaught against the HIV and AIDS pandemic. She
said 259 inmates were receiving ARV medication, while 182 were on the
pre-treatment counselling process in the province of KwaZulu-Natal alone. Even
at the national level co-operation with the Departments of Health and Home
Affairs helped in improving offender ARV access by 307% between June 2005 and
June 2006, from about 220 to about 800, while those on pre-treatment programme
are at about 1 200 nationally.
She emphasised that Correctional Services' key role is to ensure safe and
secure custody of offenders under humane conditions, while correcting the
offending behaviour and facilitating rehabilitation and social re-integration
of offenders. She said the launch is an example of effective integration of
government work, a milestone to celebrate as part of the Corrections Week meant
to showcase best practices and collective service delivery.
Ms Jacobus called on all government agencies, non-governmental organisations
(NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), faith-based organisations,
traditional leaders, traditional healers and business to assist the department
in the task of ensuring effective correction of offending behaviour, and the
rehabilitation and social reintegration of offenders. She acknowledged that
despite great progress made over the past five years, the department is still
faced with major challenges of overcrowding, and scarcity of some professional
skills which place a huge burden on material and human resources.
Also addressing the gathering was an offender, Sifiso Zondi, who recovered
from his death-bed to lead a positive lifestyle and campaign for positive
living among offenders. He pleaded with the department to provide additional
nurses and ensure that every section has officials trained in the management of
the comprehensive HIV and AIDS programme. He welcomed the accreditation as
"lesser offenders are sent to external health-accredited institutions", while
also appealing for improvement of the management of medical paroles for
offenders at their final stages of terminal illness.
Also addressing the gathering was KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, Ms Peggy
Nkonyeni, who congratulated the Department of Correctional Services for
accelerating the implementation of the HIV and AIDS management programme. She
traced the partnership between the Departments of Health and Correctional
Services to July 2004, which grew from strength to strength since then. She
re-emphasised the need for prevention, care and treatment as there remains no
cure for HIV and AIDS in the world.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 083 626 0304
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
26 September 2006
Source: Department of Correctional Services (http://www.dcs.gov.za)
