On 8 December 2016, the State Prisons Administration, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNAMID's Rule of Law Section, concluded a two-day health outreach campaign on HIV/AIDS.

More than 200 inmates and prisons staff in Kheir Khanaga Women's Prison and Shallah Federal Prison in El Fasher, North Darfur, participated in the voluntary testing carried out by the Sudan National Aids Control Programme (SNAP).

Additionally, health awareness related Information, Educational and Communication (IEC) materials were distributed to prisoners.

Addressing the gathering, Francis Makathimo, Corrections Officer, UNAMID, reiterated that Mission shall continue supporting prisons administration through vocational training and health outreach campaigns for inmates.

He encouraged inmates and staff at Shallah Federal Prison to share the knowledge they acquired at the event with their communities. 

Osman Musa, Director, Shallah Federal Prison, appreciated the support, capacity-building and health outreach activities conducted by UNAMID, while Haroun Juma, Coordinator, HIV/AIDS Programme, Ministry of Health, commended the Mission for their AIDS-related outreach initiatives.  

A representative of the inmates noted that they had benefited from all programmes implemented by UNAMID, including the vocational training, sport activities, medical services and health awareness campaigns.

The awareness campaign fell within the framework of the support provided by UNAMID Rule of Law's Prisons Advisory Unit to the state prisons. It is aimed at sensitizing prisoners and local communities on Voluntary Confidential Counseling and Testing (VCCT), and support programmes available for those living with HIV/AIDS.