Page 6 - KZN Business Sense Vol.3 No.1

KZN

KwaZulu-Natal
Business Chambers Council

HEALTHCARE IN THE WORKPLACE

David White - proactive approach far outweigh Why is business perfectly of a broader health service delivery as South Africa.
CEO DRG the costs of doing nothing. positioned to get involved? for employees so that they don't
Outsourcing Business has direct access to view the initiative as an attempt to TB ranks as one of the world's
Over 90 percent of people with those most affected, the productive screen them. Unless a Voluntary most lethal but also most treatable
HIV/AIDS are in the most members of our society. The Counselling and Testing infectious diseases in adults. Better
T productive period of their lives, be workplace is the ideal environment programme is run in a climate of still, when properly given,
HINK
confidentiality and non-
treatment means cure. Yet, two
for tackling the epidemic as
they workers, managers or
(TB
and
TB - 5,000 to 6,000 people a day.
together regularly in an
International Labour Organisation
HIV employers. According to the employers and employees group discrimination, it will fail. million people die each year from
Investigative as many as 36 million of the 39 environment where HCT campaigns in the
Network) is million people living with HIV are communication systems to workplace have been shown to be Three quarters of these are men
a globally in some form of productive activity. disseminate information and only partly successful, with uptake and women between the ages of 15
recognised There is no doubt then that undertake education programmes rates seldom more than 45 percent, and 54 - people in the most
not-for- HIV/AIDS affects business causing exist. due to stigma, denial, fear and productive age group. This results
profit organisation focused upon costs to escalate and markets to ignorance. This means that uptake in significant economic
conducting clinical research on contract. While many would argue Business is good at making things for treatment, even if offered free, consequences:
behalf of providers of medication that business has a moral happen: with its focus on problem- by the company is also low.
to alleviate suffering arising from responsibility to help tackle the solving, target-setting and speedy • For businesses. In high
Tuberculosis and HIV infection. worst health crisis the world has delivery, programmes can be run Research shows that compulsory prevalence settings, many
Whilst its area of influence seen in 700 years, there is also the effectively and efficiently. Core counselling and voluntary testing workers are vulnerable to TB. A
incorporates the African Continent, matter of the bottom line. skills of business such as media, ensures better testing rates among sick worker means disrupted
THINK is based in KwaZulu- Natal marketing or training can also be employees. Also, campaigns led by workflow, reduced productivity,
where infection rates are Research shows that if companies harnessed for in-house senior management and weeks or months of absenteeism
particularly prevalent. invest in prevention and treatment programmes or to support characterised by short, intensive and, potentially, the direct costs
programmes, the savings outweigh community or NGO initiatives. know your status drives, have of treatment. In Uganda, 80% of
DRG Outsourcing, as a human the costs. Providing care and significantly increased uptake rates. wage earners stopped working
resources support partner to treatment for HIV-positive What are the benefits of due to TB with the average time
THINK, have applied our expertise employees can reduce the financial involvement in Business Sector? Treatment programmes lost from normal activities being
in facilitating the development and burden of HIV/AIDS by as much There is no doubt that Employers can prolong the 9.5 months. All this can add up
delivering of a training programme, as 40 percent. HIV/AIDS has an effect on markets health and productivity of to substantial costs to companies.
founded upon THINK's knowledge generally and on consumer employees living with HIV/AIDS
and experience to share best- How badly are companies behaviour. A healthier labour force by offering care, treatment and • For businesses and
practices in addressing the affected? generates more spending power support services either in the communities. In high
debilitating consequences of these For anyone doing business in and a more vibrant economy. company or by partnering with prevalence settings, TB is a major
two pandemics consuming our South Africa, 10 to 40 percent of Besides the moral imperative to health care providers in the private contributor to ill health and
people, our workforce and the workforce is likely to be infected save lives and the direct financial or public sector. Research shows poverty in a community. The
therefore, our economy. with HIV. But the impact and savings to the company resulting there are large savings to be made success of a business is closely
potential impact of HIV/AIDS from more productive employees regarding a reduction in death, linked to the health and
THINK's dedicated team of varies from one company to the whose health and lives are disability and sick leave costs as prosperity of the community.
experts, in close collaboration with next. Labour and capital-intensive prolonged with ARVs, there are well as human resource and The community is a source of
other knowledge- expert entities, industries, as well as those with a other direct benefits too. medical costs. A service, whether workers, services, contractors
have produced the highest quality high mobility of labour, are most in-house or not, needs to include and business; it is a key part of
but, practical content currently affected. Research in South Africa • Some companies have achieved the treatment of other sexually the overall business environment.
available. shows that the mining, metals recognition and accolades transmitted diseases, opportunistic
processing, agribusiness and around the world for their infections, particularly TB, The workplace
Our wish is to influence a transport sectors are most affected involvement in combating counselling support, antiretrovirals The workplace is a win-win
collaborative and connected future by the pandemic, with more than HIV/AIDS. (ARVs), home-based and palliative setting for TB management - for
for healthcare - where teams work 23 percent of employees infected care. both the worker and the company.
together in ensuring that a with HIV/AIDS and with • Companies risk falling behind as For the worker, the workplace is a
heightened awareness of and prevalence rates two to three times others take the lead in the fight Due to partnerships with convenient location to gain
effective response to the TB HIV higher among skilled and unskilled against HIV/AIDS. government, medical aids, awareness and receive treatment
pandemics. workers than among supervisors international donors and NGOs, for TB. For companies, TB
and managers. • Sound programmes have been ARVs are now far cheaper and management can save costs by
Please join us in this mission by shown to boost staff morale and easier to access. reducing absenteeism and staff
inviting us to present our awareness What are the direct consequences improve labour/employer turnover - through prompt
training to your organisation. of HIV/AIDS on companies? relations. Condom distribution is an diagnosis and effective treatment -
Please contact Nomtha Cele Companies are directly affected important component of any and by reducing transmission to
031 767 0625 to hear more. by lower productivity, greater • With the business sector now HIV/AIDS prevention strategy. other workers with attendant costs.
absenteeism, vacant posts, the need facing growing pressure from Scientific research shows that latex
to retrain and rehire workers, organised labour to do their bit, condoms are highly effective in Cost saving at the workplace is
reduced productivity due to staff proactive measures can head off preventing the transmission of HIV not the only reason for starting a
inexperience or illness, loss of the potential for industrial and other STDs when they are used workplace programme. As part of
morale among employees, poor conflict. consistently and effectively. corporate responsibility
labour relations, less reliable supply programmes, many businesses have
chains and distribution channels • The public/private partnerships Project Promote has developed a broad commitment to improving
the list is endless. Other direct costs being forged to strengthen out of the urgent need to the well-being of their community.
to companies depend on whether HIV/AIDS programmes can comprehensively address the issue Where TB prevalence is high, TB
they offer employment benefits, result in mutually beneficial co- of the re-supply of condom management at the workplace is
funeral cover, pensions and in- operation in other areas. dispensers at non-traditional sites. an opportunity for businesses to
house medical facilities. The condom-distribution project concretely demonstrate their social
Every company should have an is a unique partnership between commitment, as showing that they
On a general level, HIV/AIDS is HIV/AIDS policy and a the South African business and are concerned for their well-being,
affecting business by increasing programme in place, with four government Department of Health. as part of a local licence to
poverty and therefore lessening the key elements: operate.
demand for goods and services. It Two major approaches (ideally
is also increasing demands for state 1.Prevention they should be integrated): DRG Outsourcing (Pty) Ltd
Siyabonga Nzimande - spending, placing strain on the 2.Care and support T; 031 767 0625
Director THINK) F: 031 767 3280
government's capacity to deliver 3.Protection of infected or affected 1.Interventions which focus on david@drg.co.za
health and welfare services. When employees from stigma and individual behaviour change www.drg.co.za
Why is HIV a business issue? breadwinners die or lose their jobs discrimination 2.Interventions which focus on a
HIV/AIDS is impacting on due to illness, poverty spreads. 4.Monitoring and evaluation of the universal test and treat.
economic activity and social When students and school children programme.
progress around the world. Only drop out of learning institutions Tuberculosis TB is especially a
now are the hidden costs of because they or their family The ins-and-outs of HCT concern in Africa and it will only
HIV/AIDS to business coming to members are ill, the skills base is HIV Counselling and Testing get worse as the AIDS epidemic
light. Besides the costs to individual continuously eroded. Years of (HCT) programmes must be part spreads. Businesses in Africa have
companies, HIV/AIDS is development, skills building and of a broader HIV/AIDS been at the forefront of managing
hampering human resource intellectual knowledge are programme that enables the AIDS in the workplace. It makes
development, undermining the undermined by the loss of employee to access HIV sense to include TB in these
skills base and driving away foreign productive members of our prevention, care and if necessary programmes, particularly in
investment. The benefits of a
economy. treatment. HCT should also be part countries with high rates of TB such

5