Correctional facilities house some of society’s most vulnerable individuals, who are at heightened risk for infectious disease outbreaks. The unique prison environment, characterized by overcrowding and limited access to healthcare, amplifies the potential for rapid transmission. Despite these challenges, the role of prison health staff and security personnel in disease containment and prevention often goes unnoticed. Their efforts are crucial not only for safeguarding the health of inmates but also for maintaining broader public health security.
Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is similar to smallpox but generally less severe; transmission can occur through direct contact with bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials. While previously confined to certain regions of Africa, recent outbreaks in non-endemic countries have heightened global awareness of the disease and its potential to spread, particularly in vulnerable environments.
This webinar is delivered in partnership between ICPA, ACSA and The African Correctional Healthcare Network (ACHN*). The discussion will focus on strengthening the public health and security responses necessary to contain monkeypox in correctional settings. We will explore the following key questions:
- What are the necessary public health measures for effective containment?
- How can these interventions be practically implemented within the constraints of correctional facilities?
- What role do prison health and security teams play, and how can their efforts be better supported?
By addressing these issues, we aim to protect the most vulnerable populations while bolstering the professionalism and capacity of correctional health and security systems in Africa and around the world.
* The African Correctional Healthcare Network-ACHN is a network of healthcare professionals on the African continent committed solely to advancing leadership, education, and advocacy in correctional healthcare. The Technical Sub-Committee on Health for the African Correctional Services Association (ACSA), was initiated following the 2023 Dakar-Senegal Conference, where a communique was issued, emphasising the need for coordinated efforts in addressing health challenges within Africa’s correctional systems. ACHN is at the forefront of addressing healthcare challenges in prisons and detention centres through continuous education, research, and technological advancement. ACHN's vision is to create a network of health professionals that uphold the highest ethical standards in delivering healthcare to incarcerated individuals. The mission of ACHN centres on building capacity and providing high-level practical training to improve health outcomes for incarcerated individuals.
Date and Time
November 28, 2024
- 12:00 PM – 13:30 PM EAT (Nairobi, Kenya)
- 09:00 AM – 10:30 PM GMT (London, united kingdom)
- 20:00 PM – 21:30 PM AEST (Sydney, Australia)
- 04:00 AM – 05:30 AM EDT (New York, USA)
Speakers
- Keynote Speaker: Prof. Fred Newton Binka
- Co-Speaker- Lawrence Kofi Acheampong: MFFLM(UK), PhD(ong) MBChB, MPhil, MBA.
- Introductions – Ivan Calder and Natalie Boal
Keynote Speaker
Professor Fred Newton Binka
Co-Speaker
Lawrence Kofi Acheampong MFFLM(UK), PhD(ong) MBChB, MPhil, MBA
Registration
This webinar is complimentary for ICPA and ACSA members, through ICPA’s partnership with ACSA and the African Correctional Healthcare Network (ACHN). ACSA members can request a registration code via the African Healthcare Network secretariat. Please register through the link provided below. You will receive a confirmation email upon registration. Shortly before the event, you will receive the Zoom link via email.
