Correctional Service denies shortage of antiretroviral drugs
In the last few months HIV-positive inmates at Boksburg Correctional Centre have been struggling to access antiretroviral therapy and nutrition.
Patrick Thobejane, communication and liasions officer at the Boksburg Correctional Services, however, denies these allegations in the strongest sense.
According to Sonke Gender Justice, they were alerted to the cases of several inmates who had not received their medicines in a consistent manner, and were at risk of defaulting on their treatment regimens as a result.
Bafana Khumalo, senior programmes specialist says, Sonke and Section 27 intervened with prison officials requesting the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to ensure that the prisoners had full access to their medicines.
“On the basis of these interventions the provision of ARVs and nutrition have been resumed,” says Bafana Khumalo.
“Sonke and Section 27 call on prison officials to avoid future stock outs, and to ensure that systems of monitoring the provision of health care services to inmates are not interrupted.
“This is crucial, given the serious and permanent effects that interrupted provision of ART can have on the health of inmates.
“Sonke and Section 27 also congratulate the inmates at Boksburg Correctional Centre who stood up for their rights in order to obtain these medicines, and applauds officials at the DCS for agreeing to reopen lines of communication with the affected inmates.
“Inmates’ rights to HIV prevention, treatment and nutrition is clearly safeguarded in the Constitution, the Correctional Services Act of 1998, and by DCS and Department of Health policies and regulations.
“The National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs 2012-2016 further identifies inmates as a high-risk population and calls on DCS to ensure comprehensive and prompt HIV services.”
Thobejane says the management of Boksburg Correctional Services takes allegations leveled against it in a very serious light and considers them to be malicious and irresponsible if not based on facts.
“Inmates at this facility are not, and have never struggled, to access antiretroviral treatment or medication, including nutrition.
“The health and well-being of offenders is our number-one priority as it is a fundamental right of every human being, we therefore, would not temper or infringe any offender’s rights when it comes to issuing healthcare supplies.
“We have a highly-skilled, trained, dedicated and committed team of health professionals staff consisting of nurses and a pharmacist administering this exercise on a daily basis.
“It is unfortunate and disappointing that organisations go to media domain to address such sensitive matters without establishing facts and by being malicious.
“The department remains committed to ensure humane treatment of all offenders kept under its care and supervision, while protecting their constitutional rights at all times.”
