26 July 2022, Lahore - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the Prisons Department Punjab, organized a Training for Peer Educators on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Hepatitis Prevention on the prison premises .
Prisoners are amongst the key populations at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, TB, and Hepatitis. To prevent them from contracting these diseases during their imprisonment, it is important that they are well-equipped with basic information about spread and prevention. Similarly, peer educators can play an important role in information dissemination among other prisoners.
In this regard, to build the capacity of peer educators on HIV, TB, and Hepatitis prevention, UNODC-COPAK in collaboration with the Prisons Department Punjab organized a one-day training to educate them on the basics of HIV, Hepatitis, and TB on 26 July 2022 at District Prison Lahore. The selection of peer educators for the training was based on their educational background, conduct and repute among the prison staff and inmates, and ability to transfer knowledge and information on the subject to other prison inmates.
Programme Officer UNODC in the opening remarks emphasised the role of peer educators, and urged them to actively participate in the learning process and further dissemination of information on HIV/AIDS, TB, and Hepatitis. Prison Coordination Consultant UNODC facilitated the sessions on HIV, TB, and Hepatitis, wherein the trainees were educated on the role of peer educators; the basics of these diseases, including their modes of transmission and prevention; and myths and misconceptions surrounding them. On conclusion of the training, during the Q & A session, the trainer answered the questions posed by peer educators. In the closing remarks, the Technical Officer (Health) Prisons Department Punjab thanked UNODC for its support in strengthening the response to these diseases in prisons in the province.
