Bangkok Post - Friday, August 11, 2006
Michel Sidibe, Murilo Alves Moreira and Renu Chahil-Graf

However, many of these poor, less developed countries, some with good literacy levels and abundant natural resources, are also those with a growing incidence of HIV and Aids, which causes serious economic and development setbacks.

Companies can lose a significant part of their workforce in some high-HIV prevalence countries, and can thus become discouraged from investing in such countries.

Governments are burdened with HIV and Aids-related costs. While international financing of global Aids programmes has increased dramatically, the long-term sustainability of these resources is dependent on a variety of issues, ranging from the political to the behaviour of markets.

And civil society is increasingly drawn upon to help implement labour-intensive and community-based strategies to address Aids.

New constructive and sustainable solutions are clearly needed. Developing economically-based partnerships with business, local government, communities and civil society will reap benefits for all.

Too few efforts have been undertaken so far. But some successful experiences offer examples to build upon.

In Thailand, the Positive Partner Project of the nation's Community Development Association, has successfully paired HIV-positive and HIV-negative people in income-producing partnerships based on receiving small loans for activities such as livestock raising, laundry services and other low-cost, rapid-return enterprises.

In Brazil, the Business Council on Aids has not only undertaken HIV prevention in its large corporate member organisations, but it has developed materials and packaged educational programmes distributed at no cost to smaller companies and businesses, empowering them to implement policy changes and realise longer-term benefits.

These efforts help ensure that people, families and communities affected by HIV and Aids have concrete solutions to avoid falling into poverty, to have an income to help support families and to be empowered economically.

These, in turn, will help re-establish self esteem and fight stigma and discrimination.

This can be achieved if government, business and civil society work together in partnership through the following strategies:

1. Small and large businesses should help develop business skills and help build businesses for HIV-positive persons and affected families and outsource certain aspects of product development to these businesses.

This will empower the HIV-positive, increase self esteem and encourage adherence to treatment.

2. The HIV-positive networks and community groups should, in turn, do prevention in companies, schools and the community.

3. Larger companies experienced with developing and implementing HIV workplace policies should empower and train small businesses to do the same, illustrating the value added to the company as a result.

4. Corporations seeking to establish businesses, or those already established, should help develop and maintain infrastructure needed for HIV prevention, treatment and care in the towns or communities in which they are located, strengthening existing government infrastructure in states and municipalities and supporting non-governmental community initiatives.

5. Enterprises that help solve HIV-related commodity issues, such as the production of male and female condoms, should be given preferential terms and benefits by national governments.

6. Governments, while increasing national spending on HIV, should give tax breaks or other incentives to companies that undertake the above activities, so as to encourage investment and prevent companies from moving.

Vibrant local communities with thriving economies provide better markets and a larger customer base. A healthy labour force reduces absenteeism and promotes productivity. For development to be truly viable and sustainable, we need economic solutions to poverty and HIV. Leveraging the capacities and skills of persons living with HIV, working through the existing infrastructure of national authorities and getting businesses involved in community action is one way to rebuild local Aids-ravaged communities.

It is time to put this new agenda forward for business, civil society and government partnerships. The upcoming International Aids Conference to be held in Toronto, Canada, from Aug 13-18, will provide such an opportunity.

Let us challenge partners to work on concrete solutions to poverty and Aids which are grounded in an economic and development benefit.

Only then can we hope to achieve universal access for HIV prevention, treatment and care, and reverse the spread of this epidemic.

Michel Sidibe is Assistant Secretary-General of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/Aids. Murilo Alves Moreira is President of the Executive Committee of the Brazilian Business Council on HIV/Aids. Renu Chahil-Graf is the UNAids Country Coordinator in Brazil.
060811
BP060802

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2006. 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, 2006. 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. .