Every year, World AIDS Day reminds us of our shared global responsibility to end AIDS as a public health threat. For the Southern Africa Network of Prisons, SANOP, this day underscores the urgent need to strengthen HIV and TB responses in correctional facilities which remain among the most underserved and high-risk environments.
People in prisons continue to face disproportionate vulnerability due to overcrowding, limited access to prevention tools, inadequate healthcare, high rates of TB and co-infections and stigma and restricted health literacy. Yet health rights do not end at the prison gate.
Aligned with this year’s theme, “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response,” SANOP continues to work with organizations to ensure that there is health literacy programs within prisons as well as advocacy for human rights-based approaches. The theme highlights the need to adapt and strengthen strategies in the face of ongoing challenges. SANOP continues to fight to ensure no-one is left behind, including people deprived of liberty.
On this World AIDS Day, we remember lives lost, reaffirm our commitment to ending HIV, and recommit to leaving no community behind whether they are rural or urban based, every person counts in the fight against AIDS.”
About 1.3 million Zimbabweans are currently living with HIV (adults and children).
Progress on treatment & viral suppression
Zimbabwe has reportedly reached the global UNAIDS “95-95-95” goals for adults: nearly all people living with HIV know their status; the majority are on antiretroviral therapy (ART); and a very high share on ART are virally suppressed.