The involvement of the business sector is critical in helping to scale up effective responses to the epidemic, especially in countries where the public health sector faces severe resource constraints – but also for the simple reason that the majority of HIV+ individuals work.
- First, as employers, businesses can ensure that they have in place appropriate policies to address the prevention, care and treatment needs of their employees and families.
- Second, businesses are sharing lessons learned with small, medium and large enterprises in their supplier and customer networks and in communities where they operate, where they can support local initiatives in prevention, education and other areas.
- Third, there is also considerable opportunity for business to support and enhance existing public sector programmes through partnerships at the national level to leverage industry infrastructure, expertise and other resources that complement public sector activities. Whether companies are located in London or Lilongwe, HIV/AIDS is a core business issue, threatening workers, customers and communities.
Business Action for Africa HIV/AIDS Project
In partnership with the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (a Business Action for Africa member), IBLF and the South African Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS (SABCOHA), we are organising a visit of UK MPs to South Africa to learn about good practice in relation to corporate action on HIV/AIDS, including workplace programmes.
