Kagiso Moagi, HIV/AIDS co-ordinator at our Platinum business, adds her signature to the AIDS Commitment Wall
HIV/AIDS is one of the most significant challenges faced by South Africans today. To curb the devastating implications of the pandemic for our employees, their families and the communities in which we operate, we have taken a pioneering approach in the fight against the disease to minimise its social, economic and developmental consequences.
Anglo American is determined to break the cycle of new infections and to ensure that people infected with HIV are assisted in staying healthy and economically active.
Our HIV/AIDS policy focuses on five key areas:
- The elimination of stigma and discrimination
- The prevention of new infections
- Care, support and treatment
- Community social investment
- The management and mitigation of HIV/AIDS
Our disease management programme is now in its seventh year. All employees and contractors are actively encouraged to find out their HIV status and in 2009, 82% of our permanent workforce underwent voluntary counselling and testing.
HIV-infected employees continue to be provided with free access to anti-retroviral treatment (ART). In 2008, we extended this to employee dependents owing to our belief that the disease cannot be managed effectively when only one family member receives care for an illness that affects the entire household.
Local communities
Our awareness initiatives are extended into our local communities and we continually share the knowledge we have gained through our workplace and social outreach programmes. Campaigns are designed to build capacity for comprehensive HIV/AIDS services in partnership with donors, local and national government, civil society, trade unions, other businesses and public and private health service providers. Particular emphasis is placed on the youth and women living in disadvantaged communities.
Awards and recognition
In 2009, Anglo Thermal Coal was recognised by the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for its HIV/AIDS activities with a Business Excellence Award for Top Workplace Programme. The GBC Awards for Business Excellence are earned by companies that have demonstrated extraordinary commitment, action and results, and have achieved exceptional success in putting their assets to work in the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Tuberculosis
The Group’s tuberculosis control programmes are based on similar principles and are being stepped up to ensure that this emerging threat is actively managed.