In eliminating discrimination of employees who disclose their HIV positive status and elongated absenteeism by staff living with HIV, the Absa Group Limited has heeded a call by the Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, to fight the scourge of HIV and AIDS in corporates.
This comes after ABSA, took a lead in the banking sector by partnering with the national Department of Health precisely on the Department’s Health Counselling and Testing (HCT) campaign launched by His Excellency President Jacob Zuma in April last year. The campaign seeks to ensure that South Africans know their HIV status.
The HCT campaign will be officially extended to the banking industry on 20 July 2011 as the Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and ABSA Chief Executive, Ms Maria Ramos will formally launch ABSA’s Health Counselling and Testing Campaign (HCT) in Johannesburg central at ABSA headquarters.
The ABSA HCT campaign will be implemented in three phases: campaign launch, training of ABSA staff on HIV and AIDS and testing of staff which includes staff members located in 900 branches countrywide.
Joining the Minister will be MEC for Health and Social Development Ms Ntombi Mekgwe, City of Johannesburg Mayor, Executive Councillor Parks Tau and Mr Lucky Mazibuko, a Sowetan newspaper columnist living with HIV.
As part of the 34 000 ABSA’s workforce, headquarters staff will also attend the two hour launch session. Following the launch will be employee’s comprehensive training on HIV and AIDS which is estimated to be rolled out for approximately two months. The training will entail electronic and face-to-face learning. As from the 14 September 2011, once all employees have acquired HIV and AIDS knowledge through the training programme, employees HIV testing will commence.
Media reporters are therefore invited to the launch of ABSA’s HCT campaign which will be held as follows:
Venue: Johannesburg Central, ABSA Towers North Atrium (Corner Polly and Main Streets)
Date: 20 July 2011
Time: 07h30am to 10h00am
For more information please contact:
Mr Vukani Mnyandu
Tel: 012 395 8475
Cell: 083 923 0261
Mr Fidel Hadebe
Tel: 012 395 8493
Cell: 079 517 3333
