SMMEs are managing HIV/Aids risk

SA has the second highest number of people living with HIV/Aids in the world and research shows the disease has affected the bottom lines of most SA companies. Commentators worry that the number of business owners who employ between 50 and 250 people who are concerned about the impact of HIV/Aids on their businesses is falling - from about 32% last year to 26% this year.

But Charles Parsons, managing director of Calibre Clinical Consultants, says the increased confidence levels among business owners show that education about the disease is paying off: "Executives have more access to knowledge about the disease, and most have had information and training sessions. Many are feeling that they can better manage the risk of the disease to their business and mitigate new infections."

Since government launched its antiretroviral programme last year, businesses have felt encouraged to launch their own programmes to prevent and treat the disease. Government's programme also helped bring down the cost of medication for companies that previously worried they wouldn't be able to afford to treat sick workers.

"Eighteen months ago, it cost about R2 600 to treat one employee with anti-retrovirals a month. Now comprehensive programmes that include ARV's can be purchased at a cost of between R30 to R60 per employee per month."

Calibre's multi-pronged attack on HIV/Aids in the workplace includes providing voluntary counselling and testing, anti-retroviral drugs, laboratory tests, vitamins and nutritional supplements for workers as well as prevention programmes, on-site education and training, prevalence studies and actuarial impact assessments.

"The mindset has changed significantly and many companies are willing to provide medical benefits to their workers. Smaller businesses find that they can provide a one-stop-shop treatment package that doesn't break the bank."

But some of the first companies to implement work-place HIV/Aids programmes, have seen low uptakes of voluntary counselling and testing services as well as anti-retroviral drugs because these programmes were run in-house and perceived not to be confidential.

"Businesses that outsource the management of their HIV/Aids programme tend to find better participation rates, because of the perceived independence," says Parsons. "In companies that Calibre manages, over 80% of workers access VCT and antiretrovirals when made available."

Even businesses operating in areas where prevalence rates are particularly high - such as KwaZulu Natal - Calibre has found that prevalence rates among the employed population are lower than the general population.

"Business owners were terrified that the infection rate among their workers would be as high as in antenatal clinics, but we've consistently found that it is lower among the employed segment," says Parsons. "That has given managers renewed confidence."

But though companies are increasingly managing HIV/Aids within their own companies, few are paying attention to the entire supply chain. The epidemic's impact on the sales and profits of between 40-50% of companies in the manufacturing and financial services sector show it is affecting not only workers, but customers too.

Parsons says the next phase of managing the epidemic will involve companies expanding their HIV/Aids programmes beyond their own employees.