Welfare & health
The medical services within many prisons in Africa are wholly inadequate, especially when compared to those provided to prisoners in the UK, but even when compared to the local public hospitals outside the prisons. The prisons suffer from overcrowding, poor hygiene and a lack of facilities. Many inmates suffer from HIV/AIDS and TB. Infections spread rapidly within prisons. The torrid atmosphere within the infirmaries means that the medical staff have little desire to visit the sick and thus to offer what treatments, if any, they have for patients.
APP aims to promote health services by a complete renovation of infirmaries within prisons, providing basic medical facilities and also increasing capacity. In addition to overcrowding, many prisons visited by APP lack running water or electricity. APP therefore works with engineers to improve the infrastructure for utilities.
Needs raised by prisoners:
- Overcrowding
- Lack of clothes, bedding
- Sanitation problems
- Lack of electricity /solar panels
- Medicines, particularly for HIV/AIDS sufferers
- Clinic facilities & infrastructure
- Health education
- Counselling
- Training/resources for medical officers