HIV/AIDS workplace policy in consultant companies.
Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. E10349)
Lieser ME EPOS / IMPACT on Health, Bad Homburg, Germany
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has become a global crisis affecting all levels of society. AIDS has already killed more than 20 Million people worldwide. More than 40 million people are today living with HIV infection, almost half of who are women and a full third are young people aged 15 to 24. AIDS is by far the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Within the content of its overall mission, EPOS Health Consultants is specifically contributing to HIV/AIDS programmes worldwide in order to improve the health status of many people. A HIV/AIDS Resource Centre has been established within EPOS to support all related programmes with sufficient and reliable know-how. The obvious health and social impact of HIV/AIDS on the lives of individuals are noticeable in every sector of development, having far-reaching effects. Besides the already since long suffering public sector, the private sector is increasingly affected and suffers not only from the human cost to the workforce but also in terms of losses in profits and productivity that result in many new challenges for both employers and employees. Therefore the theme "Workplace Policy" is becoming increasingly important internationally. Globally operating companies are developing their own policies for dealing with HIV/AIDS at the workplace, frequently with advisory support from EPOS or its partnership NGO IMPACT on Health. Regrettably, cases of HIV infections and AIDS are increasingly becoming known among local personnel and their families. We therefore urgently need clear directives for handling HIV infections in our own organisation. With regard to EPOS's duty in respect of care and supervision as employer, and in order to maintain credibility as a company, a separate HIV/AIDS workplace policy has been established assisting employees to find attention for their problems regarding HIV/AIDS and actively participate in handling the disease in a non-stigmatised environment.
Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Infections, Africa South of the Sahara, Public Policy, Workplace, Private Sector, Organizations, Disease Outbreaks, Demography, Humans, Female, economics, organization & administration, manpower
