Correctional facilities are high-risk environments for the transmission of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV, yet the health of correctional staff - who serve as both potential vectors and vulnerable individuals - is often overlooked in national screening strategies. This pilot initiative, conducted over a four-day period in one province of Mozambique, aimed to increase participation of correctional staff in voluntary TB and HIV screening through targeted engagement strategies including on-site health education, peer-led outreach, and confidential, workplace-based testing.
Fifty correctional staff took part in the pilot, marking a significant step toward normalizing screening among prison personnel. Early feedback indicated improved awareness, reduced stigma, and increased willingness to engage in future health services. The success of this short-term initiative highlights the potential for scalable models that prioritize staff health as a critical component of institutional infection control. Engaging staff not only protects their well-being but also strengthens the broader public health response within correctional settings.
Moderated by John May, Special Advisor, Healthcare Network, ICPA
×
Ivan Calder
Managing Director, Virtu Medical, United States
Ivan Calder has spent two decades at the intersection of healthcare delivery, public policy, and innovation. As Managing Director of Global Health Innovations at Virtu Medical, he has led the strategic rollout of EHR systems in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Ivan is a strong advocate for sustainable, scalable health tech solutions that strengthen public systems and uphold human rights. Ivan is also privileged to lead Health through walls as CEO, and to chair the ICPA Healthcare Network.
