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Managing HIV as a business risk is becoming essential to organisations of all sizes, and whilst a number of larger corporations have begun to make HIV a strategic priority, little is being done in the SME sector.
In South Africa alone, HIV/AIDS has been identified as 1 of the 3 factors that cause the failure of nearly 80 percent of start-up SMEs every year. The smaller the company, the less likely it is to report any program against HIV/AIDS for its workforce. Lack of awareness and capacity to deal with HIV/AIDS are critical problems for SMEs.
Key Facts
- The Department of Health estimates that approximately 18.3% of adults (15 – 49 years) were living with HIV in 2006
- In 2006 only 20 percent of private sector companies in South Africa offered support, care and treatment for HIV infected staff members
- The indirect costs to a workplace of HIV/AIDS are greater than the direct costs, e.g. the costs of lost time. Each HIV infection is likely to cost the organisation between 1 and 6 times the employee's annual salary
- SMEs are unaware of the risks and impacts of HIV/AIDS on their businesses
- Nearly 40 percent of public service believe that AIDS is curable
As productivity and efficiency of operations are impacted by increased absenteeism, loss of morale, workplace cohesion, training and re-hiring of workers and decreased reliability of supply chain and distribution channels, SMEs must embark on developing an HIV management program to:
- Provide education and discredit myths about HIV/AIDS
- Raise their awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS on their businesses, their employees, and their communities
- Develop a wellness policy with realistic and achievable action plans
HIV&Me Workplace specializes in:
- Strategy and policy development
- Workplace programme design and implementation
- In-house facilitator training
Education is the most effective measure in the prevention of HIV. It is also extremely valuable in facilitating positive living. HIV&Me Workplace encompasses an empowerment through knowledge approach with a focus on experiential learning. We promote the importance of knowing your status and develop a climate of commitment and understanding across all levels of the organization.
Programme content includes:
- perceptions fears and anxieties around HIV/AIDS
- the biological science of the HIV virus and how the immune system responds to attacks
- the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other STI's
- myths, stigmas and social attitudes about HIV and how it's transmitted
- the critical importance of knowing your status
- safer sex and the use of condoms in preventing HIV/AIDS and STIs
- legal and ethical issues
- gender issues and women's rights
- risk reduction through confidence, communication and negotiation skills
- VCT (Voluntary Counselling and Testing)
- ARVs (Anti Retrovirals)
- Positive living
- Accessing care and support for those affected and infected
The training of peer educators and programme representatives within the organisation is recommended to create a supportive and sustainable framework for an effective intervention.
Research has also showed that for most effective HIV interventions in the SME sector, follow-ups should be made every 4 months to:
- assess the progress of action plans
- discuss the success and challenges of implementing the action plans
- provide feedback and guidance
- devise plans going forward
With programmes customised to suit the needs of your organization HIV&Me Workplace can assist in protecting people and profitability thereby
- limiting risks associated with HIV/AIDS to your business
- promoting positive living amongst your employees
- protecting the human capital vital to sustaining your organisation.
For more information or to arrange for a consultation and needs analysis please email consulting@regency.org
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