#AIDS2016

Workplace Based HIV Treatment – A Debswana Experience Dr. Mwamba Nsebula

#AIDS2016 The Case for Intervention First case of HIV confirmed at a Debswana Facility 1996 – impact on productivity becoming evident – Increasing sickness absenteeism Loss of skills – Retirements due to ill health – In service HIV related deaths up to 59% Conflicting information on HIV transmission impacting on employee morale

#AIDS2016 Key Milestones Development of Workplace HIV Policy Establish the disease burden through prevalence survey Identify and agree on interventions Determine cost of HIV prevention, care and treatment Demonstration of leadership commitment Stakeholder engagement

#AIDS2016 Workplace Disease Management Program Dissemination of HIV & Aids related information Workplace accommodation of infected and affected employees Access to care – During employment – Post employment with Debswana Resourcing of the program

#AIDS2016 Success factors Use of peer educators Financial support to employees enrolled in DMP Prevailing political environment supported at the highest level Improved community access to HIV & Aids prevention and care through partnership with Government

#AIDS2016 Conclusion Response to HIV epidemic through workplace treatment program was not just a business imperative, it was the right thing to do. Productivity has been maintained due to – Reduction in sickness absenteeism – Reduction in HIV related ill health separation – Reduction in HIV related mortality The 90:90:90 is Debswana’s next challenge

#AIDS2016 Acknowledgements UNAIDS CASE STUDY, September 2002, Private Sector Responds to Epidemic, Debswana a global benchmark Debswana Pension Fund Ministry of Health, Republic of Botswana Balisi Bonyongo, MD, Debswana