South Africa’s transport sector faces a ”huge challenge” in reducing HIV infections, Transport Minister Jeff Radebe said on Tuesday.
Opening a two-day national policy dialogue on HIV and Aids in the transport sector, Radebe said the negative developments of HIV and Aids in the sector could not be allowed to gain momentum.
He was referring to a Bureau for Economic Research Study, which showed that 46% of transport companies already had their profitability affected by HIV/Aids.
The loss of experience and skills due the pandemic was also cited by 40% of companies.
”More still needs to be done to practically and effectively implement HIV and Aids programmes and policies in the workplace,” Radebe said.
He said the sector’s plan, which is in line with the national strategic plan on HIV and Aids for 2007 to 2011, was aimed at halving new infection rates in the sector by 2011.
”The strategy also aims to reduce sexual transmission of HIV by developing behaviour-change communication strategies for prevention of sexual transmission of HIV, adapted to different transport sectors,” said Radebe.
He said the focus would be on prevention programmes aimed at high-risk participants in the sector. — Sapa