traduction en attente
Divane Minguenze, Head of the prevention of HIV/AIDS for SGBC
In Cameroon, the fight against AIDS is a key concern for the government and private sector alike. Like many other companies, SGBC signed up in 2002 to the strategic plan set up two years before aimed at putting a stop to the fast spreading of the epidemic. As an example, the disease’s prevalence rate1 shot up from 0.5% in 1987 to close to 12% in 2002. Recent statistics point to a rate of 5.1%. “We essentially focus on raising awareness, screening, treatment and non-discrimination” explains Divane Minguenze.
Awareness campaigns are held on Labour Day, Women’s Day and even during the end of year celebrations: “we hand out leaflets and invite doctors and those affected by the illness to share their experiences”. Moreover, the events are also the opportunity to organise screening tests for staff and their families. The underlying message of these campaigns is relayed throughout the year via thirty-five volunteer SGBC “educators” whose role is to help their colleagues in indentifying day-to-day factors and behaviour that increase the risk of infection. They are also responsible for promoting the use of condoms and putting an end to the myths surrounding the virus (which are the main source of discrimination).
SGBC’s medical expenses programme covers all of the costs linked to the treatment of the illness. What is more, the knowledge and behaviour of staff is regularly reviewed. “The answers we get back show us what to focus on next”, and enables the HIV Committee to define an effective action plan.
NOTES
- number of actual cases of an illness at a given point in time, divided by the numbers of those populations that are potentially vulnerable.