IF EVERYBODY takes action, the HIV/AIDS epidemic can be turned on its head, according to Anglo American executive and social philosopher, Clem Sunter.
All the forecasts of the numbers infected are an existential scenario, he said.
Nihilism, pessimism. Just putting up figures that leave everybody speechless in the face of this impending doom, Sunter added.
Wanting answers within your own company? I'd offer a wellness programme, said Sunter. Either as part of the medical aid or not.
If you don't, people won't come forward to be tested.
And if there's no test, he added, you won't know what the prevalence rate is in your company. It also breaks the chain of testing, counselling and treatment that are crucial if you are looking to add extra years of productive life to your staff.
It's a question of morality, Sunter said, but one which can also be seen as cost-effective.
If you just let employees die and replace them - you'll have all the problems of absenteeism, training and a general loss of productivity.
But if you go the wellness route, there are very effective counselling and treatment programmes to let you achieve that extra lifespan.
Don't think that you can just get rid of employees who have HIV/AIDS.
Current labour legislation would mean that any companies which indulged in such behaviour would be quite rightly whacked if they dismissed employees just because they had AIDS, said Sunter.
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