SABCOHA leads business sector response to national HCT campaign

The South African Government launched the national HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) Campaign in April this year. It is said to be the largest campaign the world has seen, aiming to test 15 million people by the end of June 2011. The business sector responded swiftly to support the government-led campaign and, in July 2010, finalised a strategy which details how businesses will test over two million people of the total campaign target. It is estimated that this will cost the business sector well over R500 million.

In an effort to measure the business sector's contribution, SABCOHA initiated the development of a web-based HCT reporting tool, the first and only monitoring system of its kind in the business sector. Aligned to Government's indicators, the reporting tool will enable an accurate reflection of contributions to the national campaign by the business sector as a whole. SABCOHA will report consolidated data to Government by geographic district on a monthly basis. Real time data by province and major industry division will be available publicly on the website provided that confidentiality of company-level data is maintained. The website address is www.bizwell.co.za.

Fund established

Furthermore, SABCOHA has established the SABCOHA Community Fund as a vehicle for businesses to sponsor the extension of HCT and wellness screening services to vulnerable employees and/or industries, their families and broader communities. There are many employees in both the formal and informal business sectors who will not be afforded access to these services, either because their employers cannot cover the costs or because they are not permanently employed. Companies are encouraged to make contributions to this Fund so that services can be extended to those who need them the most.

Donations of any size are welcomed and companies will be able to link their contribution to socio-economic development points on their BEE Scorecard. SABCOHA also hopes to be able to leverage additional funding from local and international donors, against the contributions received from the business sector.

"Business has acknowledged the changed economic circumstances, and we need to find more sustainable ways in which funds are raised, coordinated and used in the fight against HIV," said Brad Mears, CEO of SABCOHA. "We hope that this Fund will mobilise the resources of the business sector and provide a platform for partnerships which go beyond the life of the HCT Campaign."

"There is no better opportunity for the business sector to prove it is taking responsibility too, and I urge all businesses - large and small - to get involved in this campaign," added Mears.

Bizwell HCT Reporting Tool Fact Sheet.