The United States Salutes Workplace Efforts to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis

February 7, 2006
No. 03/06

Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) - The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has paid tribute to the managers and staff of 22 Ethiopian companies for their commitment to promoting workplace-based efforts to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These dedicated employees were acknowledged for their leadership in innovative programs that reach thousands of their colleagues and their families with vital information the prevention, care, and treatment of HIV and tuberculosis.
 
“The numbers of employees and family members who have benefited by the steps these companies have taken are impressive,” said Janet Wilgus, the U.S. Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, at a recognition event organized by USAID program partner Abt Associates. “With 1.5 million people living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia, there is no backing down against HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis awareness.”
 
USAID supports these workplace initiatives through its Private Sector Program, which assists program partners such as Abt Associates that  help large companies respond to both diseases, acting as consultants to company management and creating activities to help them better understand and respond to HIV/AIDS and TB and to become more effective with training, communications, and best practices.  Funding for this program, which totals over $900,000 (about 7.8 million birr) is made possible in part by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

As a result of this program, participating companies are linking peer education with testing for HIV and TB, nutrition counseling, and medical products such as water disinfectants, multivitamins, and insecticide-treated nets to prevent illness. These low cost services reduce absence from work and keep employees who are living with HIV/AIDS healthier, allowing them to continue working to support their families.

Since March 2005, USAID’s Private Sector Program has supported over 30,000 employees and family members in 34 workplaces, with plans in place to reach 55 of the largest companies in Ethiopia, as well as to work with private clinics to improve both service quality and accessibility.

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