Ethiopian firms recognised for HIV/Aids initiatives
13/06/2008
Thirty businesses based in Ethiopia have received plaudits for their proactive attempts to confront HIV/Aids.
The companies were praised for adopting Rapid Result Approach methodologies, which hinge on targeting the most at-risk individuals with preventative care and awareness training.
They received their awards at an annual exhibition hosted by the Ethiopian Business Coalition against HIV/Aids.
Now entering its second year, the exhibition showcases positive practices among members of the business community in the hopes that a consensus on industry-wide procedures can be reached.
Highlighting some of the achievements of the past year, representatives from MIDROC Ethiopia, East Africa Bottling, WB, and Pre-fabricated Building all took to the floor to discuss their anti-HIV strategies.
One successful approach was outlined by the head of planning and marketing at Pre-Fabricated Building, who revealed how effective the development of a new voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) clinic had been in boosting staff moral.
"The construction of the clinic was finalised within 45 days - and the reason was that we are committed to fight HIV, and stop taking staff to other clinics for counselling and VCT services, which takes time and cost money," the Daily Monitor quoted him as saying.
Furthermore, in addition to the commercial recognition and positive-experience sharing, the event also enjoyed international sanction given the presence of representatives from the World Bank Institute.
In March, Ethiopian president Girma Woldegiorgis outlined a multi-pronged approach to tackling HIV/Aids - a strategy that he said would help lift country to the status of a middle-income economy.
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