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African Bank 2008 HIV/Aids Report
length, at which all participants are educated about HIV/Aids. This aspect of the process is mandatory, and it is compulsory for all African Bank employees to attend this workshop. Counselling: The initial session is followed by one-on-one counselling sessions, which enable participants to ask sensitive questions they may not have wanted to raise in a group context, and to prepare them should they wish to undergo voluntary testing. These follow-up sessions are also a compulsory part of the process. Post-test counselling is then offered on a voluntary basis for participants who feel they would like to discuss their test results or enrol in the CareWorks Patient Management Programme, if necessary. Testing: All African Bank employees have the opportunity to find out what their HIV status is, at no cost to themselves. Testing is confidential and a bar code system is used to ensure anonymity. Results can be obtained either immediately after testing or, should participants prefer, by telephone using their unique bar codes. Participation in this aspect of the process is voluntary.
African Bank 2008 HIV/Aids Report Page 3 of 18
STI and TB Management: Participants who screen positive for an STI and/or TB, are then referred
to their local clinic for treatment and on-going monitoring HIV Management: Participants who screen positive for HIV have a number of post-test counselling and treatment options, and these are fully detailed on pages 19 and 20. Confidentiality and non-discrimination Confidentiality and non-discrimination are the foundation of all African Bank HIV/Aids interventions. These principles are enshrined in a range of legislation in South African labour law, including the Employment Equity Act and the Code of Good Practice on Key Aspects of HIV/Aids and Employment. This legislation has the clear intention of protecting of those infected and affected by HIV/Aids, and is also the cornerstone of the CareWorks ACT process. HIV/Aids affects everyone. Become an HIV/Aids champion, and share what you learn during the ACT process with your friends, family and community. (Allows for photographs and/or logos)
Long-term HIV/Aids management Employees who test HIV positive and are not covered by a medical aid qualify for the bank-sponsored CareWorks HIV Treatment Programme, while all employees can request counselling, advice and support through the Employee Wellbeing Programmes CareWorks Helpline. Employees who wish to register for the treatment programme should do so as soon as they test HIV positive. There is no cost involved, and your details will be kept absolutely confidential. All doctors visits, follow-up blood tests and medication are covered, and CareWorks will help you to obtain the correct medication on a regular basis. CareWorks will also help you to access emergency preventative ARV treatment in the case of accidental exposure through an accident or assault, as well as in the case of rape. Caring together African Bank, in association with CareWorks, is working together with its staff to halt the spread of HIV, and to ensure that HIV positive people receive the appropriate counselling and treatment. Be part of the solution be part of creating an Aids-free society. [Allows for cartoons from the CareWorks brochure]
In Gauteng, the programme was taken to the Westonaria and Carltonville branches, where it was accompanied by drumming sessions to promote team building. Here special thanks is due to Regional Manager, Laurence Wilson, and to Andre van Tonder and Andre du Toit, who brought their own unique touch to the programme. In Limpopo, four workshops were held, with 100% of the participants volunteering for testing. Thanks again to Operation Manager, Morag Crease for her committed involvement, as well as to Regional General Manager, Alan Friend, and to Wanda Theron and Nikita Markusoff. You all did African Bank proud. Coming soon ACT rolls into Pretoria next, after which the programme will be taken to Mpumalanga and the other provinces. Remember to watch out for it! (Allows for photograph/s)
This was a deeply personal journey - I lost my identity; I was stripped of who I was. And for the first time I knew what doing volunteer work really means. She has, however, brought home valuable lessons from the experience. What struck me is that anti-retrovirals are available at all community centres and VCT clinics, which are easily identifiable, and that being HIV positive and needing to be on medication is not a stigma. This is something, Youlanda feels, we should be working towards here. If we work together we can make it happen, she says. (Allows for photographs)
The African Bank 2007 World Aids Day Campaign (Page 8 and 9 DPS)
Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I will understand. The theme for World Aids Day in 2007 was leadership, a theme that will be carried through to the event on 1 December again this year. It was selected specifically to encourage leaders at all levels to stop the spread of HIV/Aids. Building on the 2006 theme of accountability, it highlights the vital role that leadership has to play in the fight against the pandemic. Experience has demonstrated that significant advances have been achieved where there is strong and committed leadership, and this theme aims to empower everyone from individuals to organisations and governments to lead in the response to HIV/Aids. The significance of the red ribbon Internationally, the red ribbon has come to symbolise the hope that HIV will one day be overcome. It symbolises support for people living with HIV and Aids, for the continuing efforts of Aids educators, for those who have lost loved ones to the disease, and for the on-going search for successful treatment responses. On World Aids Day last year, African Bank staff distributed hundreds of red ribbons to promote awareness of HIV/Aids, and will do so again this year. Wear yours to show where your heart is. Dance4Life As part of the events programme last year, eager participants also enjoyed participating in the Dance4Life. This is a dynamic, international initiative that actively involves people from all walks of life, encouraging them to use voices and dance as a tool to push back the spread of HIV and Aids, and to fight the stigmas and taboos still attached to it.
African Bank 2008 HIV/Aids Report Page 13 of 18
Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, says this of Dance4Life: "Dance is a universal language, dance is freedom, dance is exhilaration, dance is life. Young people deserve care, protection and condoms. Please don't let them dance alone." Fun Walk African Bank staff also joined MSD Pharmaceuticals for a fun walk in Midrand to promote awareness of HIV/Aids. We are extremely proud of those who showed their dedication and support for this walk, even though it poured with rain! The proceeds from the event went to the New Jerusalem HIV Childrens Orphanage, which is situated in Ivory Park, Midrand. Playing Cards HIV/Aids awareness playing cards were distributed to all African Bank employees as well. The objective of this initiative was to enable staff to take the lead and to share HIV related information with family and friends. More exciting events are planned for this year, so watch your bulletin board for further details. (Allows for photographs)
African Bank employees who have tested HIV positive and who have not yet enrolled in the CareWorks treatment programme: Call the CareWorks Helpline on 0860 10 11 10. African Bank employees who have tested HIV negative: Use the skills you learnt at the workshop to stay HIV negative and help others to do the same. Practice ABC Abstain, Be faithful and Condomise. Retest in three months time to eliminate the three-month window period. African Bank provides free access to the ACT programme for its employees. Please use it it is there for everyone. [Allows for African Bank logo, CareWorks logo, and Choose to Make a Difference logo]