THE 5th ANNUAL REPORT 2022/2023 ON THE STATE OF SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS TO ASCERTAIN KEY CHALLENGES AFFECTING PRISONERS’ HEALTH, THEIR FAMILIES AND EX-OFFENDERS IN UGANDA

The major objective of this event is to share the challenges affecting inmates, their families and ex-offenders, including gaps in funding dynamics, needs assessments and the areas of operations.

The rationale of the report:
Further studies and research have shown that HIV/AIDS management mechanism is cost effective in prevention strategy and it is effective in reducing high-risk behaviors in prison settings, However, HIV/AIDS management programing is essential in prisons support to detect and manage early infections and comorbidity. Mitigating HIV/AIDS in prisons through prevention and elimination mechanism is one of the primary core factors for reducing the spread of the disease. Although, due to unfriendly environment in prisons, using blood-testing mechanisms is quite challenging due to accidental threats, fear, reinfections and exposure but Oraquick method of HIV testing has been adopted because it is friendly and effective in prison settings.

The demographic and health survey of 2020 by TUNMAPS indicates that only 5 – 10 % of the prison population reported to have ever been tested and only 3% are on ART but irregularly. Major barriers are attributed to stigmatization, fear, insufficient food, malnutrition and discrimination after testing sero- positive. Among refugees and ex-convicts, a universal desirable package theming know your HIV status campaign, needs effective communication, sensitization and mobilization to emphasize the benefit of HIV testing, expansion of user friendly, voluntary and confidential HIV testing services in prison settings and this should be a goal for all inmates and ex-convicts in Uganda.
Providing prisoners and ex-convicts with the knowledge and means to protect themselves against HIV/AIDs infections and treatment is the ultimate objectives of a comprehensive HIV/AIDS strategic plan in prisons. As noted above, effective control of HIV/AIDS in prisons has important public health consequences beyond prisons. It has implications for the professional duties and responsibilities of prison staff and for workplace safety and security. In Uganda, Uganda Prison Services has only one health service facility based in Luzira Prison, serving all the 274 prisons with an estimated population of 65000 convicts and 100000 remands across the country, including referrals and expectant women prisoners from different prisons across the country and those on ART and TB regimens.