Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke recently in BULAWAYO
THE Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) is strengthening healthcare and rehabilitation programmes within correctional facilities as demand for inmate health services continues to grow amid rising prison populations and increasing health needs.
With more than 5 400 inmates housed in correctional institutions across the province, authorities are expanding HIV prevention, mental health, substance abuse rehabilitation and non-communicable disease (NCD) programmes to ensure inmates have access to essential healthcare services.
The move is in line with the Second Republic’s commitment to universal health coverage and the principle of leaving no one behind in the provision of healthcare.
Bulawayo Province currently accommodates 5 456 inmates against an approved holding capacity of 4 554, placing pressure on accommodation, healthcare delivery and rehabilitation programmes.
Officer Commanding Khami Maximum Prison Chief Superintendent Panonetsa Chemugarira said despite the challenges posed by overcrowding, prison authorities remained committed to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of inmates.
“Health care remains one of our priority areas. Every inmate undergoes health screening upon admission to identify communicable diseases, chronic illnesses, mental health conditions and any ongoing treatment requirements,” he said.
“To strengthen healthcare delivery, we have established internal support systems including peer education programmes, inmate support groups and the training of inmate nurse aides who assist healthcare personnel in promoting health awareness and basic health services within institutions.”
He said inmates requiring specialised treatment were referred to appropriate institutions, while efforts were made to maintain communication with families whenever serious illness or hospitalisation occurred.
Chief Supt Chemugarira paid tribute to partners supporting prison health services.
“The National AIDS Council has played a pivotal role in strengthening HIV and AIDS interventions within our institutions through support for HIV prevention, testing, counselling, treatment adherence and continuity of care programmes,” he said.
“NAC has also assisted in the training of inmate peer educators who play a critical role in health promotion and behaviour change communication among fellow inmates.”
Beyond HIV programming, NAC has supported occupational therapy and rehabilitation projects as part of efforts to improve inmate wellbeing and successful reintegration into society.
Chief Supt Chemugarira said the province had also recorded improvements in healthcare staffing and infrastructure.
“We are equally proud to have an operational X-ray machine within the province. This has reduced dependence on central hospitals for routine investigations and improved efficiency in healthcare delivery,” he said.
The strengthening of prison healthcare services has been complemented by NAC’s Key Populations Programme at Khami Correctional Complex, which focuses on HIV prevention, testing and health education among inmates.
NAC Luveve District AIDS Coordinator Ms Ncobela Mutale said the programme was introduced in 2020 as a Brother-to-Brother initiative before being expanded into a broader peer education model after prison authorities identified growing demand for health information and services.
“When we started in 2020, we had five Brother-to-Brother mentors across the Khami complex. However, prison authorities requested that the programme be expanded because the inmate population was large and the need for health information was growing,” she said.
The programme was expanded in 2023 and strengthened further in 2024 when the number of peer educators increased to 10.
Today, peer educators provide information on HIV, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections, non-communicable diseases, gender-based violence and substance abuse while referring fellow inmates for health services.
Ms Mutale said the programme was increasingly integrating HIV interventions with broader health screening services.
“Our peer educators are now offering primary screening for non-communicable diseases. They conduct blood pressure checks and blood sugar testing before referring inmates who require further management to prison clinics,” she said.
During the first quarter of 2025, the programme reached 483 inmates. Of these, 28 underwent HIV testing, with four testing positive and subsequently initiated on antiretroviral therapy.
ZPCS resident medical practitioner Dr Ashley Pasihapaore said correctional facilities remained a critical component of Zimbabwe’s HIV response.
“Central to our HIV response is the provision of free HIV testing and counselling to all inmates upon entry and throughout the year. This is not just a clinical intervention; it is a statement that every life within these walls matters,” she said.
She described the partnership between NAC and ZPCS as transformative, noting that trained inmate peer educators had become frontline advocates for HIV awareness, prevention and support.
Key Populations peer educator at Khami Remand Prison, Mr Khanyisile Ncube, said the programme had created a network of informed inmates who support one another while promoting responsible behaviour.
“We conduct lessons on HIV, TB, drug and substance abuse, gender-based violence and non-communicable diseases. We also identify inmates who need counselling or medical attention and refer them to the appropriate services. We also capture our data through the Digital Health Information System (DHIS) 2,” he said.
Mr Blessing Chivi, an inmate who joined the programme after his incarceration in 2020, said he had little knowledge about HIV and sexually transmitted infections before interacting with peer educators.
“I had no knowledge when I came here. The peer educators helped me understand HIV, STIs and how I can protect myself,” he said.
“Since joining the programme, I believe my behaviour has changed so much that even when I go back home, I will not engage in risky behaviour.”
As Zimbabwe continues pursuing the global 95-95-95 HIV targets, strengthening healthcare services in correctional facilities will remain essential to ensuring that no population is left behind in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
