How to join

Simply fill in the membership application form and email or fax form and proof of payment to SABCOHA.

Metrofile

Metrofile has reported that its HIV/AIDS program has yielded results that far exceeded its expectations, with 90% of the organisation's staff taking part in the voluntary HIV counselling and testing phase. 80% of those tested came forward to find out their results. The majority of those who did not come forward had either had an HIV test previously or knew their HIV status.

In October 2003, Metrofile embarked on an initiative with HIV/AIDS facilitator Reality Training Concepts to ascertain its level of HIV infection, with the aim of assisting its employees and their communities, and preparing itself for the challenges HIV/AIDS presents to business across the globe.

"Reality Training Concepts performed a needs analysis at Metrofile to determine the company's level of HIV readiness, and then recommended the best way forward for us," says Jill Leite, HR director at Metrofile. "Most people are aware of HIV/AIDS, so we wanted a program that went much deeper than simply raising awareness. The program that Reality Training Concepts has helped us develop focuses on making people understand the disease and showing them that being HIV-positive is not an immediate death sentence."

Metrofile's HIV/AIDS program has three phases. The first phase involved educating and training all company employees. Once the training was complete, employees were given the opportunity to voluntarily undergo testing to determine their HIV/AIDS status.

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Small businesses

Is it reasonable to expect small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa to offer HIV/AIDS services to their employees?

As evidence has accumulated of the negative impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the South African economy, some sectors of society have taken action, while others have not. In the private sector, many large businesses, having recognised the imminent costs of the epidemic and the potential benefits of proactive intervention, are now offering HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services to employees. The vast majority of small and medium sized businesses, however, are not .. >.