Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) - August 23, 2002
Nawaal Deane
In May Transnet launched an HIV/Aids lifestyle management programme, which includes an anti-retroviral component for employees.
Transnet is not the first corporation to announce it will include access to anti-retrovirals. Last week AngloGold paved the way for company-funded anti-retroviral treatment.
Transnet took the initiative because it realised that money spent on HIV/Aids is an investment rather than a cost.
"In my business we have employees, who due to the type of jobs, lead a risky lifestyle. They stay in hostels all over the country or along railways and drive long distances by trucks. There is a high risk for the infection to spread," says Mafika Mkwanazi, group CEO.
It is an ambitious undertaking considering Transnet employs 72793 workers, but pilot sites have been set up to jump-start the programme in rural areas.
Currently there is no data on the number of employees infected with HIV/Aids, so the group has built in a voluntary counselling and testing programme. Transnet has laid down R500-million with the first R80-million being used this financial year.
Mkwanazi says the bottom line is not only about profits but corporate social responsibility. "From a business perspective there is a financial return if we put the money in this programme. Absenteeism will be reduced, our employees will be more productive. Right now they become weak and they are not able to do the physical labour they used to do. Once you offer the treatment they get their natural strength back."
Compulsory education and awareness courses will be implemented to sensitise and break down stereotypes of people living with HIV. This is aimed at empowering employees through education to minimise the risk of HIV-infection and assisting those who are HIV-positive to live a healthier and longer life.
One of Transnet's main concerns was to implement the programme without violating employees' human rights and flouting customary and religious beliefs.
Transnet needed to ensure confidentiality of employees who wanted to disclose their status and receive anti-retroviral treatment.
The group has entered into contracts with external service providers that have the expertise to provide medical intervention and monitor employees under treatment. Employees can visit a service provider where they can receive testing, counselling and treatment.
Manasse Matau, acting group human resources, says Transnet will not know the identity of employees who are HIV-positive, but the company will know how many are infected.
Another innovation of the programme is to redeploy infected and weak employees to other departments while they are undergoing anti-retroviral treatment.
The programme is based on seven dimensions of health management and does not only include HIV/Aids treatment but looks at fitness, stress relief, monitoring of drug compliance, weight and dietary issues.
A further study by Transnet will be conducted to gain knowledge of the attitudes and practices of employees. Then comes the training and finally the appointment of peer educators.
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