Voice of America - November 3, 2006
Joe De Capua
Washington

Click to download/open (MP3)
Click to download/open (Real Audio)

A new report shows African businesses are doing more to battle HIV/AIDS among their employees. The World Economic Forum study shows 27 sub-Saharan African countries are helping business coalitions battle HIV/AIDS among their employees.

Francesca Boldrini is the director of the World Economic Forum's Global Health Initiative. From Geneva, she spoke to VOA English to Africa Service reporter Joe De Capua about how business coalitions tackle the pandemic.

"How they actually set up and how they run varies dramatically by country. But essentially what they do is they work together to leverage the business competencies in countries. So, they basically create critical mass for businesses to be able to respond to the HIV/AIDS crisis. This can include for example running workplace programs, partnering with the community to do programs or simply lend their core competency's help in doing what business knows how to do best," she says.

She says it's important for businesses to get involved in fighting the disease because "the AIDS epidemic is still spreading fast in most parts of Africa. And it really is basically important for everyone get involved. In particular, business has a really important role to play starting with the workplace. They have their workers, which they need to look after their health. They need to be able to have a functioning business. But also, business has a different way of doing things sometimes from the public sector, which is more effective in overcoming some of the challenges."

061103
VA061103

Copyright © 2006 - Voice of America. You are welcome to use any material that is published by voanews.com, or you may link to any of the web pages that Voice of America has published on the internet. There is no need to request further permission. Should you wish to establish a link to any VOA web pages, please send your request to pubaff@ibb.gov. We would appreciate that credit for any use of VOA material be given to voanews.com, Voice of America, or VOA, and we ask that you not abridge or edit any VOA material which you may use.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Bridgestone Firestone Trust Fund, and donations from users like you. 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. .