Business Urged to Halt Aids At Workplace
Government has called on the private sector to help reduce new cases of HIV and AIDS at the workplace by running awareness campaigns to save their employees' lives and productivity.
"Workplace AIDS programmes have the potential to reach large numbers of people and reduce the impact of AIDS on employees, their families, productivity and the economy as a whole," said Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa during his province's annual report on AIDS in Johannesburg today.
The former trade unionist said though government, business and unions had identified the scourge as a priority to sustain economic development, some companies were lagging behind thus undermining the fight.
"...experience both in government and business shows that more effort is needed to ensure practical implementation of programmes in partnership with trade unions," he said.
Focusing on inroads made by his administration, Mr Shilowa affirmed authorities were slowly but surely "making a difference" in halting the spread of the epidemic.
Gauteng, he affirmed, was now implementing one of the largest PMTCT programmes in Southern Africa.
In 2003/4 87 546 women accessed the service. Of these, 59 822 chose to be tested with 17 757 testing HIV positive.
Antiretroviral drugs were provided to 13 130 HIV positive mothers and 10 469 babies. While more extensive research is required, follow up has confirmed a reduction in HIV transmission from infected mothers to their babies.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) administered to survivors of sexual assault was now available at all the clinics catering for rape victims.
Over 4 000 people who attended medico legal clinics in 2003/4 received antiretroviral drugs as part of the PEP programme.
However, only 27 percent of them completed the programme, pointing to the need for further awareness on this matter, said the Premier.
Government has called on the private sector to help reduce new cases of HIV and AIDS at the workplace by running awareness campaigns to save their employees' lives and productivity.
"Workplace AIDS programmes have the potential to reach large numbers of people and reduce the impact of AIDS on employees, their families, productivity and the economy as a whole," said Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa during his province's annual report on AIDS in Johannesburg today.
The former trade unionist said though government, business and unions had identified the scourge as a priority to sustain economic development, some companies were lagging behind thus undermining the fight.
"...experience both in government and business shows that more effort is needed to ensure practical implementation of programmes in partnership with trade unions," he said.
Focusing on inroads made by his administration, Mr Shilowa affirmed authorities were slowly but surely "making a difference" in halting the spread of the epidemic.
Gauteng, he affirmed, was now implementing one of the largest PMTCT programmes in Southern Africa.
In 2003/4 87 546 women accessed the service. Of these, 59 822 chose to be tested with 17 757 testing HIV positive.
Antiretroviral drugs were provided to 13 130 HIV positive mothers and 10 469 babies. While more extensive research is required, follow up has confirmed a reduction in HIV transmission from infected mothers to their babies.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) administered to survivors of sexual assault was now available at all the clinics catering for rape victims.
Over 4 000 people who attended medico legal clinics in 2003/4 received antiretroviral drugs as part of the PEP programme.
However, only 27 percent of them completed the programme, pointing to the need for further awareness on this matter, said the Premier.
posted by Dr Philippe Maslo at 10:47
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