Why is HIV/AIDS a Business Issue?

 

Effects of HIV/AIDS on the workforce:

  • Absenteeism (sick leave, care taking, funerals)
  • Declining morale and motivation (workload, burden of disease)

Effects of HIV/Aids on Productivity & Quality:

  • Disruption of Production
  • Contamination of Products (TB)

Effects of HIV/Aids on Business costs:

  • Higher production costs
  • Extended replacement costs (re-training)
  • Medical costs, burial costs

Effects of HIV/Aids on Business Environment:

  • HIV/AIDS reduces retail sales (reduction of household income)
  • Whole Economy affected (reduced investments, loss of tax)

 

 

What is a workplace programme?

 

 

A workplace programme consists of various component

  1. HIV coordination structure and HIV policy 
  2. Prevention activities
  3. Support of medical treatment and care
  4. Outreach to the families and communities
  5. Monitoring and evaluation

 

Though all components are crucial for a successful workplace program, a company may not be in the position to implement all components at the same time, depending on the structure, the financial background and the level of commitment. ABCT can provide you with technical assistance, where to start, which components first. Pooling of resources and the establishment of a referral system can enable a company to implement more workplace programs elements. Even with few resources, a lot can be done!

 

 

 

The workplace policy:

 

  • Developing HIV/AIDS workplace strategies (assessing situations, needs, options)
  • Dealing with sickness, dismissals, promotions, confidentiality
  • Assessing legal frameworks (e.g. "Tripartite Code of Conduct")

 

The workplace program:

 

  • Training all employees on HIV/Aids
  • Creating non-discriminatory, healthy working environment
  • HIV prevention and treatment, testing
  • Providing PLHA adjustments (e.g. workplace and time supporting the infected or affected, families and communities)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prevention:

  • Peer Education
  • Provision of information and educational materials (IEC): video's, DVD's, brochures, posters...
  • Trainings, Seminars, Special Events
  • Condom promotion (male and female condoms)
  • Promotion of Voluntary Counselling and Testing

 

 

Care, support and treatment:

  • Treatment of opportunistic infections, sexuallly transmitted infections (STD's), Malaria and TB
  • Provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART)
  • Prevention of exposure to HIV at the workplace (post-exposure prophlaxis)
  • Provision of nutritional support
  • Provision of Home Based Care Services

 

 

Community Initiatives:

Prevention:

  • Community Outreach (IEC and VCT campaigns)
  • Peer-Educators, Condoms
  • Special Events

 

 Care and support:

  • Improving medical services (CHF, company health facilities)
  • Access to ARV's
  • Nutritional Support (Home Gardening)

 

 

 

Success factors for HIV/AIDS workplace programmes

 

  • Commitment at management and workforce level
  • Resources (financial, time)
  • Human Capacity (trained and motivated HIV/AIDS Coordinator, Peer Educators)
  • Involvement/Ownership of all stakeholders (management, employees, community, local health system, NGO's)

 

 

 

 
Events