Reaching out the first 90 goal by introducing the ILO-WHO Joint Guideline on HIV Self-Testing at Workplace
The ILO raise the national companies’ awareness about the HIV self-testing initiative as part of community-based screening, aimed to increase the number of people who know their HIV status and seek treatment. The event marks the final ILO webinars in conjunction with the commemoration of the World AIDS Day 2020.
As part of the HIV/AIDS prevention programme, HIVST may provide the benefits at workplaces as it can reach many workers at risk of HIV infection with lower access to HIV testing services. It also may increase uptake of HIV testing by offering workers greater confidentiality and autonomy and saving time for workers and health-care providers."
Syed M. Afsar, ILO’s Senior Technical Specialist on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work
Syed M. Afsar, ILO’s Senior Technical Specialist on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work, highlighted three pillars of HIV programme at workplace as all covered by the HIVST: Prevention, treatment and human rights. “As part of the HIV/AIDS prevention programme, HIVST may provide the benefits at workplaces as it can reach many workers at risk of HIV infection with lower access to HIV testing services. It also may increase uptake of HIV testing by offering workers greater confidentiality and autonomy and saving time for workers and health-care providers,” he said.
As of June 2018, 59 countries have adopted HIVST policies and many others are developing them. One of the countries is South Africa. South Africa introduced HIVST in industries that employ mostly men, such as mining, construction, security, petroleum and agriculture. Between January and June 2018, 66 percent of the HIVST kits distributed went to men and of those tested, 4.2 percent were diagnosed HIV positive.
“To ensure the effectiveness of the HIVST at workplace, advocacy with the high-level management is key and trade unions play an effective role in ensuring the implementation of the HIVST. The management is bit more sceptical, although most staff welcome the initiative,” added Afsar presenting the lessons learned from the experiences in other countries.
Prevention programmes remain our priority programme through awareness raising and VCT@Work. For those who found HIV positive can continue working and have the same access and benefits with other employees."
Bayuh Iswantoro, Vice President of Corporate Safety Management of PT Angkasa Pura II
Bayuh Iswantoro, Vice President of Corporate Safety Management of PT Angkasa Pura II, presented commitment of the company through the development of a non-discriminatory policy, training of trainers on HIV prevention, VCT@Work programme and peer counsellors. “Prevention programmes remain our priority programme through awareness raising and VCT@Work. For those who found HIV positive can continue working and have the same access and benefits with other employees,” he said.
Similarly, Subhan, SVP QHSE and System Division of PT Waskita Karya (Persero), explained that the HIV prevention programmes have been implemented in its all working units and projects. “HIV prevention programme has become the key performance indicator for all our field managers and we collaborated with primary health clinics on managing VCT@Work in 35 road construction project sites in Indonesia. As a result, we have been awarded with HIV awards by the Ministry of Manpower,” told Subhan.
HIV prevention programme has become the key performance indicator for all our field managers and we collaborated with primary health clinics on managing VCT@Work in 35 road construction project sites in Indonesia. As a result, we have been awarded with HIV awards by the Ministry of Manpower."
Subhan, SVP QHSE and System Division of PT Waskita Karya (Persero)
This interactive session also marked the final webinars conducted by the ILO’s HIV programme from October to December 2020. As part of the World AIDS Day 2020, the ILO conducted a series of eight webinars raising various issues related to HIV/AIDS and the world of work to strengthen the implementation of non-discriminatory policy and HIV prevention programme at the workplace.