Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association - October 9, 2005
Fienie Grobler
"It's absolutely essential," said Alex Govender, head of Volkswagen South Africa's health services.
"If you don't do anything the figures are going to increase. The more it affects the community, you can imagine the impact it will have and that's where we draw our workforce from."
The Global Business Coalition on HIV/Aids (GBC) last month honoured two locally-based firms, Volkswagen SA and diamond giant De Beers, for their comprehensive testing and treatment plans for workers.
South Africa is one of the worst-affected countries in the world, with some one in seven people -- around 6,5-million people -- infected with HIV last year, according to figures released by the health ministry in July.
"In today's global economy, a disease that has killed more than 30-million people is everyone's problem, and every company's responsibility," said GBC president Richard Holbrooke.
De Beers managing director Jonathan Oppenheimer, whose company started providing free anti-tetrovirals in July 2003, said it made business sense to deal with the pandemic.
"With the De Beers Groups most important diamond producing companies currently based in southern Africa, we recognise the need for a progressive and innovative approach to meet the threat posed by the epidemic to our business, our employees, their families and the communities in which we operate," he said in a statement.
In sub-Saharan Africa around 26,6-million people were infected with HIV at the end of 2003, out of an estimated global tally of 40-million, according to UN estimates.
A report released by the World Economic Forum last year showed that companies in South Africa and Botswana were leaders on the continent when it came to HIV/Aids programmes.
The South African Business Coalition on HIV and Aids in a study undertaken last year said about 41% of South African firms had HIV/Aids policies in place, many of them in the mining industry.
"It's imperative for companies to undertake HIV/Aids programmes," said James Steele, manager of the Anglogold Ashanti's Aids programme.
"Our experience is that the people who get onto treatment see an improvement in health. The vast majority of them go back to work and they continue with normal lives," added Steele.
He said the gold mining giant started giving free anti-retrovirals to their employees in November 2002, a programme that costs about R16-million ($2,4-million) annually.
About 3 200 of its 33 000 employees have tested positive for HIV and 929 are currently on anti-retroviral treatment sponsored by the company.
Although many workers remain shy to go for testing, Steele said the number of employees volunteering for tests is on the rise.
At Volkswagen SA, its four-year-old Aids treatment programme has seen a much larger chunk going for tests -- about 60% of its workforce volunteered for HIV tests, and six percent were infected.
Govender, who is in charge of its health services, said 73 employees were currently on free anti-retroviral treatment.
"We have been able to fully reintegrate five employees who have had full-blown Aids into the workplace," he added, saying Volkswagen SA's Aids programme cost around R4-million per year.
Although companies say it is difficult to quantify the cost of Aids in the workplace, the WEF last year said several countries in sub-Saharan Africa were projected to have a 30% lower workforce in 2020 because of HIV.
A report by the International Labour Organisation issued in last July said the Aids pandemic cost South Africa more than $70-billion in the 10 years to 2002.
051009
SA051005
Copyright © 2005 - South African Press Association. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the South African Press Association, Cotswold House, Greenacres Office Park, Cnr. Victory & Rustenburg Roads, VICTORY PARK, PO BOX 7766, JOHANNESBURG, 2000; Fax No: +27 11 782-1587/8, Tel No: +27 11 782-1600.
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, National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. 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, 2005. 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. .