Inmates get boost in Covid-19 prevention
INMATES in correctional facilities have received a boost in the fight against Covid-19 from In-but Free (IBF), a Zambian Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO), which will spend K75,000 on preventive measures.
Norwegian Heart and Lung Foundation will assist the IBF in funding the programmes in correctional facilities.
IBF Director, Nawa Sanjobo, said the foundation, which was to spend K50, 000 on training workshops of health personnel in correctional facilities on the Copperbelt will spend an additional K25, 000 on producing 5000 face-masks to be used by inmates.
Dr Sanjobo was speaking in an interview in Kitwe after the official opening of the training workshop for correctional facilities health officers at Mawlaik Barracks.
Among the health officers from correctional facilities were nurses, clinical officers, laboratory technicians and environmental health officers from Ndola, Kansenshi , Chondwe , Luanshya, Kamfinsa, Chingola and Mufulira correctional facilities.
Dr Sanjobo said it was important that front line officers like nurses and clinical officers to be trained in effectively fight COVID-19 in the correctional facilities.
“As IBF in collaboration with our sponsors like the Norwegian Heart and Lung Foundation, we have decided that we play a role in fighting the COVID 19 in correctional facilities. So we are in the process of producing 5000 face-masks for inmates.
“We will spend K25,000 in producing 5,000 face-masks and a further K50,000 on workshops like the one we are having today. So we will spend a total of K75,000 in the fight against the spread of COVID 19 in correctional facilities,’’ Dr Sanjobo said.
And speaking earlier, Zambia Prison Service (ZPS) Deputy Copperbelt Regional Commanding Officer Changala Silwamba said the fight against Covid-19 should be fought with concerted efforts because it was devastating.
Mr Silwamba said the training workshop was timely and handy because it had come at a time when the service was equally intensifying its Covid-19 preparedness.