THE Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has
temporarily banned all cooked food from outside into prisons as a way of
containing cholera which has claimed more than 30 lives in Harare.
Further, ZPCS is also screening new inmates to ensure that the disease does not spread into prisons.
Responding to emailed questions, ZPSC assistant public
relations officer, Chief Correctional Officer Simon Eremia Kaondo said the
prison services were on high alert of the disease. He said although, contrary
to some social media reports, there were yet to be any cases of cholera
reported in the country’s prisons, the institution was seriously taking
precautionary measures.
“In pursuant of the declaration of the cholera outbreak in
Harare by the Ministry of Health and Childcare, the ZPCS has introduced a
number of measures to control the disease. We have temporarily suspended all
cooked food from entering prisons. We have also introduced the screening and
close monitor of new admissions into prisons,” said Chief Correctional Officer
Kaondo.
He said the measures were not limited to Harare alone but
across the country’s jails with reports that some cases have been recorded in
Bulawayo, Masvingo and Gokwe.
“We have elevated medical and administrative awareness to
the highest level by advising all provinces to be on high alert of the
outbreak. We have also ordered the treatment of any diarrhoeal cases with high
suspicion and caution,” he said.
Chief Correctional Officer Kaondo said the service has also
gone on a sensitisation programme as well as constant monitoring through
regular inspections.
“Constant monitoring to determine possible predisposing
factors to the outbreak have been intensified. We have also intensified
sensitisation of inmates and officers alike on the outbreak and should a case
arise, proper and efficient disinfection of soiled material and surfaces should
quickly be taken,” he said.
Inmates have also been urged to maintain high standards of
hygiene at personal and institutional level. Sunday News
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