Tamar Kahn
4 June 2008
Cape Town — The Global Business Coalition (GBC) against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria has recognised coal miner Xstrata, Standard Bank and Telkom for their efforts to combat HIV among their workers, underscoring the growing role played by the private sector in fighting the disease.
The GBC is a coalition of more than 220 of the world's leading companies that share their experience in tackling AIDS, TB and malaria .
On Monday the GBC will give awards to companies at a ceremony in New York where United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will speak.
The "serious failure of the health ministry to deal with reality" had compelled companies to initiate HIV/AIDS programmes, said GBC executive director John Tedstrom.
He acknowledged that investing in health projects was often a tough sell to shareholders, but said many multinationals believed they had a moral and financial imperative to help their workers. Good employee care could also prove a competitive advantage, he said.
Xstrata was recognised for the public-private partnership it developed with Mpumalanga's health and social services department, which has improved the services public clinics provide to mineworkers and the communities in which they live.
Standard Bank will be acknowledged for its HIV/AIDS programme, which uses story-telling techniques to reduce stigma and encourage its employees to take an HIV test. HIV-positive employees have access to treatment and care through their medical scheme.
Telkom will receive an award for its work in promoting HIV testing and counselling among its staff and their families . So far, two-thirds of the workforce and their partners have taken an HIV test .
The GBC is also planning to commend several other South African firms for their work, including brewer Bralirwa SA (Heineken); Thanda Private Game Reserve; motor manufacturer Mercedes Benz-Daimler; and diamond mining giant Debswana.
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