Prisoners’ right of access to antiretroviral treatment
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Date
2006
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ESR Review : Economic and Social Rights in South Africa
Abstract
Prisoners are susceptible to a number of illness and diseases due, in part, to poor living conditions in prisons (e.g. overcrowding and poor nutrition), substance abuse and sexual violence (e.g. male rape). From a health care perspective, prisons present a particular
challenge. From 1996 to 2005, the number of prisoners dying from natural causes per year increased from 211 to 1 507. HIV/Aids has
contributed to this increase. The rate of HIV infection among prisoners is unknown and the Department of Correctional Services
(the Department) has commissioned a research project to establish this. In the absence of accurate and publicly accessible data, it is difficult
to establish the size and scope of HIV infection and the actual number of persons living with AIDS in our prisons. What we do know is that
prisoners’ access to anti-retroviral treatment (ARV) is extremely limited. To date, only one accredited ARV treatment centre has been established by the Department, at Grootvlei Correctional Centre in the Free State.
Description
Keywords
Right of Prisoners, Access to antiretroviral treatment, HIV/AIDS, Prisons, South Africa
Citation
Mbazira, C. (2006). 'Prisoners’ right of access to antiretroviral treatment'. ESR Review, 7(2): 14-16