AEGiS-DMG: A golden opportunity to fight disease Daily Mail & GuardianImportant note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Click here to return to Daily Mail & Guardian main menu
DonateNow


A golden opportunity to fight disease

Mail & Guardian Online - September 19, 2007
David Jackson

Responding effectively to the HIV/Aids and tuberculosis epidemics is a challenge for companies such as gold producer AngloGold Ashanti for business and moral reasons. The burden of both diseases in the local mining industry is high. Similarly, the high incidence of malaria in the company's Africa operations calls for effective interventions.

In order to mitigate and manage the health risks faced, AngloGold implemented healthcare programmes through its subsidiary, AngloGold Ashanti Health. Says Dr Brian Chicksen, head of health services for AngloGold Ashanti: "We have a series of values and business principles that we aspire to live up to. One of these is that we be responsive to the healthcare threats we face in the regions in which we have a presence. "In South Africa, HIV/Aids is a clear threat that has an impact on us as a business and on the communities in which we operate. Communities ought to be better off for us having been there."

The impressive progress made in curbing the spread of dreaded diseases is borne out by statistics. "Our 2006 data shows the CD4 count at the start of treatment was 166. But over two years we have increased the mean CD4 count of people on the programme to 373." The company is also looking at halving the death rate of its employees over a four-year period, which began in 2004. "With regards to TB control, we pledged to meet or beat the World Health Organisation and national TB control programme outcomes and we have consistently done that." Malaria statistics are also encouraging. In Obuasi, Ghana, there were 7 000 malaria cases a month in 2005. The control programme was implemented in April last year and, by December, this figure was reduced to 2 500.


070919
MG070905

Copyright © 2007 - Daily Mail & Guardian. For information about the content or for permission to redistribute, publish or use for broadcast, contact the publisher.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2007. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2007. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .