Syphilis soars among inmates

The landmark Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) Health Policy launched this week has singled out syphilis as a major health concern, with the Keetmanshoop Correctional Facility recording the highest prevalence rate of the sexually transmitted disease, which stands at 16.7%, while the national rate is estimated at a mere 2.6%.
The policy also indicates that a total of 315 visits have been made by inmates to the clinic for STI care between 2013 and 2014.
“The NCS policy on admission of inmates is that all inmates need comprehensive screening upon admission to the correctional facility, to enable early detection and treatment,” the policy states.
Furthermore, more than 5 000 inmates were diagnosed with hypertension during 2013 and 2014, while just over 3 000 are on anti-retroviral treatment.
According to the document, by January last year the thirteen (NSC) correctional facilities held an estimated 3 382 inmates, of which 88 were women, seven of whom were accompanied by infants.
Meanwhile, the policy provides that all vulnerable inmates, such as people with a different sexual orientation, juvenile inmates and females, are housed in such manner that their safety is not compromised.
It also suggests that appropriate measures are in place to facilitate the confidential reporting of instances of sexual coercion and rape.
“The NCS shall ensure that all inmates have access to clean razor blades to avoid transmission of HIV and hepatitis through sharing of blades,” the policy states.
It added that these facilities are extremely congested, with Grootfontein overcrowded at 207%, Omaruru at 137% and the Oluno correctional facility 116% overfull.
“The health of inmates is dependent on the living conditions within the correctional facility and how their other basic needs, such as nutrition, exercise and the provision of health services, are met. The overlap between communicable and non-communicable diseases results in a double burden of disease, which requires a whole-facility approach and a better integration of services,” the report states.
Meanwhile, the policy emphasised that correctional facilities are primarily male-focused, and so designed to meet male health needs, and that it needs to accommodate female inmates and infants as well.
“The NCS shall ensure that female inmates, accompanied by their infants are, as far as possible, accommodated with their infants’ separately from other female inmates.”

JEMIMA BEUKES