THE National Aids Council (NAC) has expanded its HIV prevention and health outreach programmes at Khami Maximum Prison in Bulawayo, resulting in increased peer education and improved access to primary healthcare services for inmates.
Speaking during a NAC media tour at Khami Maximum Prison, district Aids co-ordinator Ncobeni Mutale said the organisation’s partnership with the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) has grown significantly over the years.
“Our relationship with correctional services goes a long way. We are now part of them,” Mutale said.
He explained that the prison health programme began in 2020 under the “Brother to Brother” initiative, which initially focused on young inmates aged between 10 and 24 years.
“When the programme started in 2020, we had five mentors under the Brother to Brother programme — one at Khami Remand Prison, one at Khami Medium Prison, one at Londolozi Prison and two at Khami Maximum Prison,” he said.
Mutale said the programme was later reviewed after prison authorities requested a wider reach due to the large inmate population at Khami Maximum Prison.
“In 2023, when NAC board members and directors visited the prison, the Officer-in-Charge requested that we expand the programme because the institution had a population of more than 5 000 inmates while we only had five mentors,” he said.
As a result, NAC expanded the initiative and rebranded it into the Key Populations Programme to broaden its target groups beyond youths.
- Another ETF lists on ZSE
- Econet to use Buddie Beatz app to grow local music
- LSU students win innovation prize
- Edutainment mix: The artist in the child policy formulation context
Keep Reading
“The Brother to Brother programme was restrictive because it mainly focused on the 10 to 24 age group. With the peer education programme, the target became open,” Mutale explained.
The expansion saw the number of peer educators increase to 10 in 2024.
Five are stationed at Khami Maximum Prison, three at Khami Remand Prison, one at Londolozi Prison and another at Khami Medium Prison.
Mutale said the programme now integrates HIV programming with non-communicable disease (NCD) primary healthcare services.
“Our peer educators are now offering NCD primary care services such as blood pressure checks and diabetes screening.”
He said the programme reached 483 inmates during the first quarter of 2025 through peer-led health sessions.
“Each peer educator has a cohort of 50 peers whom they engage throughout the year through awareness sessions and referrals for HIV testing and other health services.”
Of the 483 inmates reached, 28 underwent HIV testing while four tested HIV positive and were immediately initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Mutale credited inmate peer educators for driving the programme’s success.
“The programme is being spearheaded by peer educators who are inmates within the prison,” he said.
“They conduct sessions and also refer fellow inmates for HIV testing.”
The media tour highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen health services in correctional facilities through peer-led interventions and integrated healthcare programmes.
Ashley Pasihapaori, the resident medical officer at Khami Maximum Prison, said the partnership between ZPCS and NAC has transformed healthcare delivery within correctional facilities, particularly in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
“Zimbabwe Prisons Health Services provide comprehensive healthcare to a broad population that includes inmates, our serving officers and their dependents. This is not a small task,” he said.
“Our facilities deliver primary and secondary level healthcare, ensuring that those under our care have access to essential medical services.
“From routine consultations to management of chronic and complex conditions, we operate as a self-sustaining health system within the correctional environment.”
He noted that ZPCS continues to contribute towards Zimbabwe’s national HIV response targets by ensuring correctional facilities are integrated into the broader public health system.
“The correctional system is not a blind spot in the public health landscape, but an active contributor to the national response.”
