Anglo American continues its global leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS
02 December, 2009
Anglo American’s employees around the globe commemorated World AIDS Day on 1 December by participating in a number of awareness raising initiatives. Anglo American remains committed to effectively managing the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on its employees, firmly maintaining its position as a global corporate leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
In 2002, Anglo American was the first major employer to begin offering free antiretroviral treatment to its employees and, in December 2008, Anglo American extended this benefit to employees’ direct dependants. This decision was based largely on the understanding that HIV/AIDS cannot be effectively managed when only one family member receives care for a disease that affects the whole family.
Cynthia Carroll, Chief Executive of Anglo American said: "Anglo American’s aim, as the Employer and Partner of Choice, is to effectively manage the impact of HIV/AIDS on our employees and to make a positive contribution towards minimising the social, economic and developmental consequences of this epidemic. Anglo American’s response reaches beyond its workforce, through community outreach HIV/AIDS programmes, to spread the application of good practice in a way which helps to strengthen community health systems."
Anglo American has the world’s largest HIV/AIDS workplace prevention, counselling, voluntary testing and treatment programme, permeating through all levels of the company. Demonstrating the continued commitment of the Group’s management to the programme, Sir John Parker, Anglo American’s Chairman, recently voluntarily tested for HIV and AIDS at the Anglo American Clinic at the company’s Johannesburg office.
Sir John Parker said: "I believe that Anglo American has made great strides in its HIV and AIDS awareness and management programmes as our 75% target for voluntary testing in 2008 was exceeded, with a final uptake of 77%. We’re well on target to make our 2009 goal of 80%. Unfortunately, far too many people still learn their HIV status concurrently with an AIDS diagnosis or are just not aware that they are infected. Claiming status ignorance is unacceptable and therefore Anglo American will continue to drive its internal voluntary testing programmes."
Anglo American’s 2009 international employee HIV/AIDS campaign which launched on 27 July detailed the company’s response in the areas of eliminating the stigma and discrimination related to the disease. The programme also focuses on preventing new infections, the provision of care and confidential support for employees and their
dependants infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS, and managing and mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS on operations. In so doing, Anglo American is making a positive contribution towards minimising the social, economic and developmental consequences of the epidemic.
Workplace programmes are in place at all international Group operations and business units, with activity particularly focused in southern Africa, where HIV prevalence figures are estimated at 18% of the region’s workforce.