An inmate serving a 15 year jail sentence and a former prisoner who was released after being pardoned have sued the Zambian government over the poor diet of prisoners living with HIV.
Both George Mwanza, aged 39 and serving a 15 year sentence in Kabwe’s Mukobeko Medium Prison, and Melvin Beene, are living with HIV. In relation to their case, nutritionist Dr Canisius Banda told the high court in Lusaka that the prison authorities should be sensitive to the dietary needs of inmates who are on treatment for HIV and diabetes.
Before the judge-in-charge Jane Kabuka, Dr Banda said that inmates on HIV treatment are supposed to be given a different diet that corresponds to their treatment. He said: “The diet given to all of us, whether HIV positive or not, should be commensurate with our needs.”
People living with HIV need balanced diet
According to a story in Lusaka newspaper The Post, Dr Banda told the court that although inmates were serving sentences, they had the right to a balanced diet especially those undergoing different medical treatments.
“Let them be given [a diet] according to their needs. A responsible person should be sensitive to the needs of prisoners living with HIV,” Dr Banda submitted to the court.
However Pessy Hlazo from the Attorney General’s chambers said that a special balanced diet for prisoners was not a must. Hlazo said that inmates were given sufficient meals to provide for their dietary requirements.
The case has been adjourned to September 28.
