Minister wants condoms in prisons

MARANYANE NGWANAAMOTHO
Staff Writer | Monday June 7, 2010 00:00

 

The minister, Dr Rev John Seakgosing, broke the ice last Friday when he appealed to the National AIDS Council (NAC) in Gaborone to seriously consider distributing condoms in prisons.  

Seakgosing, who is a medical doctor by profession, strongly spoke against the government's denial of sex in prisons when there is evidence that there are unprotected sexual activities in jail.

'Sooner or later, we are going to regret our failure to acknowledge the problem that is so obvious to everyone,' the minister said.

'We need to swiftly take action and intervene. 

Prisons have turned into the breeding ground of HIV infections and we should act now.

The whole world has considered this because they realised the problem long ago and we (also) need to act now!'Seakgosing said it is counterproductive of the government to have prisons as the breeding ground for HIV, while providing expensive treatment to those infected who are outside prison. 

He said some prisoners get infected through unprotected male-to-male sexual intercourse, while doing time inside and communicate it to their wives and girlfriends after they are released. 

'It does not help for us to expose people to infections in prisons and later on register them and many others who would be infected for treatment that is costing us,' he said.

Reacting to Seakgosing's request, the Vice Chairperson of the National AIDS Council, Vice President Mompati Merafhe advised the minister to take the matter with relevant authorities where a final decision can be made. 

This development comes years after BONELA has consistently asked the government to provide condoms inside prisons. 

BONELA's position is that the government must accept the reality of unprotected sex and rape inside Botswana's prisons, which are a perpetuating factor in the spread of HIV and related illnesses.

'This is a very good step by the leaders and we are glad that at least there is appreciation,' said BONELA Director, Uyapo Ndadi.