WBCG HIV/AIDS Helpdesk

The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is considered to be high in the transport sector, especially among migrant workers such as truck drivers and sea farers.  As a response of this threat to all business operations, the WBCG launched an HIV/AIDS Help Desk launched in 2003 to address HIV/AIDS in a comprehensive and cost-effective way through combined efforts and shared responses with its transport member companies. 

The WBCG HIV/AIDS Help Desk was established to facilitate the development and implementation of tailor-made comprehensive HIV/AIDS - Wellness Prevention, Care and Support programmes within its participating member companies and even more so for the broader Namibian transport sector.  It was established with the financial commitment of the WBCG and its participating member companies and through a financing agreement with the GTZ's Multi Sectoral HIV/AIDS Programme.  The Help Des also receives financial support from SIDA.

Since the launch of the Help Desk, membership growth has increased sharply over the years.  Currently the Desk boasts with a membership bases of seventeen (17) transport companies.  These members are the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport), Unitrans Namibia, Etosha Transport, Kuehne & Nagel (Pty) Ltd, FP du Toit Transport (Pty) Ltd, TransNamib Holdings Ltd, Transworld Cargo (Pty) Ltd, Manica Group Namibia, Wesbank Transport, Jowells Transport, H&H Furniture Removals CC, Roads Authority, Road Fund Administration, Blaauw Transport, Van Der Walt Transport, EC Jensen Transport and Namibia Post (Pty) Ltd.

Services offered by the WBCG HIV/AIDS Help Desk:

• Facilitating the design and implementation of appropriate HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support programmes in the workplace;
• Establishing of Roadside Wellness Centres along the major transport corridors of Namibia;
• Promote and facilitate the development of HIV/AIDS - Wellness Policies;
• Training and re-training of Peer Educators;
• Distribution of IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials and condoms;
• Promoting and facilitating access to Voluntary Counselling and Testing services;
• Promote Home Based Care services for employees;
• Provide information and promote services on treatment and care options;
• Promote Impact Assessment Studies;
• Monitor, Evaluate and Supervise workplace interventions for quality assurance;
• Conduct HIV/AIDS Awareness sessions within the member companies.

Project Achievements to date:

• Lower prevalence rates amongst transport workers.  Reports from VCT studies conducted since 2008;
• Roadside Wellness Centres established with financial support from development partners;
• Increased awareness and knowledge amongst employees (at all levels)
• Increased preventive and health seeking behaviour;
• Increased commitment and involvement of management in HIV/AIDS events (signed agreements with companies);
• Formulation of a five (5) year Strategic Plan for the Help Desk (2008-2012);
• WBCG HIV/AIDS HD Steering  Committee established;
• Over 150 peer educators trained to date plus ongoing refresher courses (sea going personnel also trained);
• Six (6) Peer Educator support group forums established in the regions;
• Development and distribution of Truckers Health Information Toolkits (KAPB study conducted);
• Hosting of Leadership Seminars on Policy Implementation and addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS on the transport sector;
• Joint initiative of MWT, WBCG and NATAU to spearhead World AIDS Day events for the transport sector;
• Transprt sector IEC materials committee established;
• Peer Educators Training Manual developed for mobile workers;
• Regular morning awareness sessions conducted with truck drivers in collaboration with trained peer educators;
• Increased demand of male and female condoms (2008/2009 - 200 000 male and 80 000 female condoms distributed);
• Group workplace policy and Guide developed and is currently being implemented.