Eskom Print E-mail
Eskom is a vertically integrated operation that generates, transmits and distributes electricity. Eskom generates 95% of the electricity used in South Africa. Eskom Enterprises, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Eskom, core lines of business are infrastructure development, energy business operations, specialised energy services and the pursuit of key opportunities in related or strategic businesses, such as information technology and telecommunications.

Eskom has estimated that by 2005, the 550 to 600 new AIDS cases a year within their organisation will add R275 to R300 million to the cost of business annually.

In 1988 Eskom initiated its first HIV/AIDS policy focussing on education, surveillance and counselling. By the mid-1990s the organisation became aware of the impact this disease would have on its business and workforce and an impact analysis on Eskom’s operations was commissioned. The analysis projected a 26% HIV prevalence rate in ten years if no interventions were made. This finding motivated Eskom to make HIV/AIDS a strategic priority of the organisation.

Two committees were formed to deal with this issue. The strategic committee dealt with the impact of HIV/AIDS on the organisation and its employees, and developed strategies to manage the effects. The operational committee was in charge of education, awareness, care and support to infected and affected employees and families.

Today the programme consists of various initiatives. These include Prevention & Awareness, VCT, Care and Support as well as Partnerships in Action. Immune Modulating Therapy as well as anti-retroviral therapies are being case-managed while day-to-day monitoring ensues on a continuous basis.

Under Prevention and Awareness, proven methods have been implemented which include education in human rights, HIV/AIDS care and prevention. Where testing is concerned Eskom contributes to the costs of VCT, and Care and Support includes psychological support, access to antiretroviral therapy under Eskom’s medical scheme through approved HIV clinicians and TB monitoring.

Eskom’s mission of total commitment to manage the impact of HIV/AIDS through integrated response strategies aims to empower people and enhance the sustainability of the business. These response strategies include:

  • Self Awareness
    • Promotes voluntary counselling and testing, free HIV testing, confidential, results do not need to be revealed
  • Education & Training
    • Beyond awareness, equipping employees with knowledge including human rights issues, legal issues and care for the HIV/AIDS positive people, emphasis on de-stigmatisation
  • Care & Support
    • Psychological support, Medical Aid cover (ART), treatment for sexually transmitted infections, TB treatment monitoring, Free condoms, Nutritional Supplementation, Wellness programmes
  • High Risk Areas
    • Promote social cohesion and minimise impact on the business: addressing single sex accommodation and construction camps
  • Policies & Practices
    • Reviewing all policies that may be impacted by HIV/AIDS to ensure non-discrimination at all business processes
  • Information Management
    • Objective is to establish infra-structure for tracking trends within the organisation, and for projecting the impact of HIV/AIDS:
  • Communication Strategy
    • Information is: Comprehensive, Coordinated, Sustainable, Consistent, Easily Accessed, Multiplatform, cannot be avoided
  • Partnerships
    • South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative (SAAVI), South African Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (SABCOHA), Population Council (Horizons), Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBC), Foundation for Professional Development (PFD).

Click here to read more.
Click here to read more about the company.
 
[ Back ]