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Khadija Magardie
An average of two out of every 10 people in every workplace is likely to be HIV- positive, according to the Department of Health. Projections by Aids management consultants in various industries indicate that in the next 10 years, up to 25% of the population will be infected. The gloomy statistics paint an equally grim picture for productivity and gross domestic product growth within the workplace, as Aids- related illnesses continue to cut down workers at an alarming rate.
Last month top business leaders set up the South African Business Council on HIV/Aids to help human resources managers deal with the pandemic, which is now resulting in about 1E700 new infections a day.
The mining industry has been worst hit with a massive increase in tuberculosis, the most common manifestation of HIV/Aids. According to the Chamber of Mines, the rate of tuberculosis infection is 3E000 per 100E000 miners, compared with 500 per 100E000 10 years ago, and 70% of infected workers are HIV-positive.
The introduction of on-site sexually transmitted diseases management clinics go a long way towards halting the spread of Aids through treatment for opportunistic infections that make individuals more vulnerable to HIV/Aids. Some companies, like Sanachem in Durban, have incorporated traditional healers.