THE WBCG HIV/AIDS HELP DESK DRIVES THE MESSAGE SAFE ALL THE WAY
The WBCG HIV/AIDS HELP DESK in its quest to facilitate the implementation of comprehensive HIV/AIDS – Wellness workplace programmes conducted HIV/AIDS information sessions for employees from six (6) transport companies during the last two months. The sessions were conducted on site and have attracted about 235 employees including truck drivers. The awareness sessions were preceded by half day peer educators who received their first training last year. Peer educators are regarded as the backbone of any workplace programme as they interact more easily with their fellow colleagues at work. Thus, the help desk will continue to build their capacity and equip them with adequate and accurate HIV/AIDS related information and materials so that they can in turn build the capacity of their peers at work. It is also apparent that employees spend much of their daily lives at work and therefore we believe that a considerable dosage of HIV/AIDS related information spread at the workplace will keep the minds of the employees refreshed in terms of preventing infections and living positively with HIV. Therefore, the likelihood that they will share this information with their families can also not be overruled. Companies that are at liberty of discussing the topic of HIV/AIDS at the workplace not only demonstrates a sense of caring for their most valuable assets but also portraits a positive corporate image with a sound knowledge of business principles. The HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is considered to be high in the transport sector, with migrant workers such as truck drivers being particularly at risk. There are currently no recorded statistics regarding the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS within the transport sector, however, according to the Sentinel Survey of 2008, “The epidemic appears to be centered around pockets in the central, north, north east, west and south where mobile populations are most likely to take temporary residence as a rust of mining, tourism, agricultural and fishing activities and border entry/exit points.” Increased absenteeism, the loss of skilled workers, loss of tacit knowledge and reduced morale among co-workers have a negative impact on the growth of business opportunities. In an effort to help reduce the accumulated costs and extent of the pandemic, the WBCG HIV/AIDS Help Desk with the financial support of the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) also provides management trainings tailored to those in managerial positions. Management support remains one of the most important elements and is critical to the success of an effective HIV/AIDS -Wellness workplace programme in any organization. It is with this in mind, that the Walvis Bay Corridor Group launched the HIV/AIDS Help Desk in an effort to facilitate the implementation of the comprehensive workplace programmes for the Namibian transport industry. The challenge here goes to those transport companies who still have not joined approach to seriously consider doing so now and not to wait until the last minute before they realize how serious the effects of this dreadful pandemic are.
