The mining, manufacturing, transport and finance industries were hardest hit by HIV/Aids, the South African Business Coalition of HIV/Aids (SABCOHA) said on Monday.
”These four industries are the most impacted. Businesses that are both capital and labour intensive at the same time are the most affected by HIV/Aids in the workplace,” said SABCOHA chief executive Brad Mears at a press conference in Johannesburg.
He said while the mining, manufacturing and transport industries were directly affected, the financial sector suffered losses when people were unable to pay back loans and mortgages due to illness or death.
He said the mining and motor industries were proactive in efforts to deal with HIV/Aids in the workplace.
”Some industries are doing work in surrounding communities and are helping their workers cope and deal with HIV/Aids,” said Mears.
”Other industries and small businesses are slowly coming on board.”
He said more small businesses had joined SABCOHA, but added that a lot of work still needed to be done on health insurance for workers, treatment of HIV/Aids and education.
He said that SABCOHA’s membership had increased by 24% in the past year. There were now 40 businesses affiliated to SABCOHA.
”We are starting to see momentum as far as businesses coming on board. However, improved patient education to support treatment compliance is not progressing as fast as it should, and experts foresee multi- and extremely-drug resistant strains of HIV in the near future.
”Public-private partnership has been highlighted as the vehicle that will enable better prevention and treatment initiatives within workplaces and communities,” said Mears.
He said SABCOHA was working closely with the national health department, Business Unity South Africa and the South African National Aids Council to empower businesses in the fight against HIV/Aids in the workplace.
How many inmates have HIV?
Meanwhile, the Department of Correctional Services launched an HIV/syphilis prevalence survey in Pretoria on Monday and ancouraged inmates and staff to be tested.
Deputy Minister Loretta Jacobus said the Correctional Services Department was obliged to make every effort to get an accurate picture of the extent of the problem to better treat HIV/Aids.
”I would like to reassure offenders and members alike that the survey is done in a scientific manner which ensures that the results are reliable and valid.”
The survey would assist the department to design an intervention programme in anticipation of the projected impact of the pandemic on staff and offenders.
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) and the Police Staff Association (PSA) showed their support for the initiative.
”Popcru commends the department and we will work side by side with them to bear the desired fruit,” said spokesperson Unathi Katheledi.
Speaking on behalf of the PSA, Veronica Skosana called on staff members to participate in the survey.
The department had 158 000 inmates of which about 5% were known to be HIV-positive. The survey would be undertaken by Limuvune Consortium and would
cover all regions of correctional services. – Sapa