More Education On HIV Needed

DR Adriana Ignea, Programme Officer of the Ghana Business Coalition Against HIV and Aids (GBCA), has expressed concern about laxity in HIV/AIDS prevention education at all levels, especially at workplaces.

Speaking at a two-day workshop in Accra on Tuesday, she said people see HIV/AIDS as a 'taboo' and thus are reluctant to talk about it. The workshop, on the theme 'Combating HIV/AIDS at the workplace' seeks to help companies develop and adopt their own HIV/AIDS policies, uplift their existing HIV/AIDS workplace activities and set up effective workplace structures and programmes in line with the national HIV/AIDS policy and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) code of practice.

Frank Ocran, Executive Chairman of State Enterprises Commission (SEC) and a board member of GBCA said the best way to respond to human rights implications of HIV/AIDS is to develop policies that protect the rights of employees at the national and enterprise levels.

He said that the 1.9 per cent national HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is least discussed resulting in long term potential negative effects on society.

'As long as our desire to further reduce the number of new infections, and to provide care and support for those in need remains effective action in the workplace is not only needed but it should be vigorously pursued with all our might,' he added.

Dr Derek Aryee, Programme Director of GBCA, said the workplace has a role to play in the wider struggle to limit the spread and effects of the pandemic.

He said there should be no discrimination against workers on the basis of real or perceived HIV status, adding that discrimination and stigmatisation of people living with HIV/AIDS inhibit efforts aimed at promoting HIV/AIDS prevention.

'The rate of new infections is increasing among women in most regions. Women tend to become infected at a younger age than men,' he said.

He called for a healthy and safe work environment, which includes the provision of information and education on HIV transmission and appropriate first aid provisions in the event of accidents.

He however, advised employers against forcing their employees to do HIV/AIDS testing, noting that casual contact at the workplace does not transmit the disease to a person.