The Director General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Dr. Mpolai Moteetee officially launched HIV and AIDS Prevention campaign in Correctional Institutions at a the occasion held at Central Prison in September 8, 2011.

As part of the launch, Dr. Moteetee lit a candle and handed over to the Commissioner of Lesotho Correctional Services (LCS) Mr. Mojalefa Thulo who also handed over the candle to the Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) Health Mr. Phoka Scout.

Dr. Moteetee commended LCS management for showing effort to combat HIV and AIDS in correctional institutions despite financial constraint. She indicated that with high HIV prevalence in country, it can not be business as usual and therefore there is a need to join hands in order to combat the disease and ensure safety of all sectors of the community especially vulnerable groups.

Caption: Director General of Health Services Dr. Mpolai Moteetee hands over candle to the LCS Commissioner Mojalefa Thulo during the launching of HIV Prevention campaign at central Prison. On the right the LCS staff entertain the audience.

She mentioned among prevention strategies include male medical circumcision, early treatment of STIs, condom use and Prevention from Mother to Child Transmission.

Speaking at the same occasion the LCS Commissioner Mr. Thulo indicated the main challenge face the correctional institution is old dilapidated buildings that have no enough space adding that overcrowding of inmates threats the general health condition in the institutions.

He said the relationship between over-crowding and health issues affect mental health, deteriorate prison heath standards and incubators of various diseases including HIV and AIDS.

The LCS with the help of other partners developed HIV and AIDS policy and strategy for Correctional Institutions but currently await Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to approve and pass it to the cabinet to grace the documents before they are officially launched and used to combat HIV.

The LCS Commissioner therefore appealed for behavior change of inmates and staff to prevent new HIV infection in the country which are said to be high in Correctional Institution (31.4 % ) than the national prevalence (23.2 %).

The health unit was established in Correctional Institutions in 2006 and later extended to all institutions in the country. Each institution has at least one nurse and nutritionist. Other regional institutions have pharmacy technologist and health inspector.

SAC Phoka Scout thanked all partners that work hand in hand with correctional institution to improve the health of Correctional Institutions in the country. So far each institution is able to offer HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) and have peer educators among staff and inmates to educate and support others. Sometimes partner organisations from outside are also invited to help with HTC in the Institutions.

The launching of HIV Prevention campaign was attended by senior officials from Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, LCS and Population Service International (PSI) as well as UNAIDS Representative Dr. Bismick Mwale.

Inmates performed HIV and AIDS songs to grace the occasion and there after they watch Lekau la Poho Behavior Change Communication Feature Film and some inmates and staff went for HIV Testing and Counseling.