Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Mail & Guardian Online - March 7, 2007
Targeting business: The Namibian government has called on Namibian companies to include HIV and Aids activities in their annual budgets.
At a meeting to discuss the impact of HIV/Aids on the transport sector, Works Deputy Minister Steve Mokgotsi said companies must stop thinking that "HIV will disappear into thin air".
"The impact of Aids is taking its toll. Gone are the days that it was just a responsibility of the ministry of health," said Mokgotsi.
He said transport companies had a heavy responsibility, as their truckers were away from home most of the time and "have their sexual needs met while on the road".
The work of truckers was critical, Mokgotsi said, and posed a challenge to their employers to explore the best ways to bring about behavioural change.
Johnny Smith, business development executive of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group that organised the gathering, said HIV was likely to undermine company operations until they acted to counter the epidemic. "It is not just a social-responsibility issue.Companies need full-scale HIV work programmes," he said.
All speakers at the meeting agreed that management support was critical in achieving a positive impact in the workplace.
Ohlthaver and List's human capital director, Bethold Mukuahima, said his company initiated a strategic plan with clear goals in its fight against HIV/Aids.
"HIV will not stop targeting your business. So don't stop targeting HIV," said Mukuahima.
Christoph Tjirongo of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group said awareness and prevention programmes at many companies ended with the distribution of condoms without a demonstration on how to use them.
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