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At
Inhouse Front : HIV AIDS Workplace Intervention Program |
At KPCL we offer health programs
with a view to inculcate healthy and safe behavior amongst
all our employees. The focus has always been propagating
ways to lead a healthier lifestyle. In 2009-10 we are focusing
on HIV / AIDS Workplace Intervention Program by collaborating
with Avert Society, Mumbai. All of us are aware that HIV
/ AIDS is an alarming global health issue where at present
prevention is the only cure. Through various media campaigns
people are aware about the gross issues involved but myths
and fears still exist. At the same time much development
has occurred as far as diagnosis, treatment are concerned
which all of us need to know.
In India it is estimated that about 5 million people
suffer from HIV / AIDS and every minute one new person is
infected with HIV! The majority of the cases occur in the
age group of 15 to 49 years and generally affects the sole
bread winner in the family. Almost 86% of the cases occur
due to unsafe unprotected sexual practices.
The spread of HIV / AIDS epidemic is affecting workplaces
also and hence a socially responsible organization like
KPCL wants to ensure that all employees, their family members
and community at large are scientifically aware about the
issues involved.
The peculiarity of this workplace intervention is that it
is employee driven meaning that Employee Master Trainers
act as peer educators to create awareness. Avert Society
has already trained 17 of our employees as Master Trainers
in two phases and they have conducted 3 awareness workshops
covering 100 trainees as a pilot project. The experience
was exhilarating and we are sure many more employees would
volunteer for becoming Master Trainers.
After the pilot project KPCL has signed a MOU with Avert
Society to implement the entire program from April 2009
To December 2009. On 1st December 2009 which is World AIDS
Day KPCL would have made all its employees aware about HIV
/ AIDS and would adopt and disseminate the CII recommended
HIV / AIDS Workplace Policy to celebrate the occasion. The
policy would reassure everyone about KPCL’s approach
and commitment towards no to compulsory HIV testing (only
voluntary testing), non-discrimination, counseling, guidance,
support and care within given framework and maintaining
confidentiality about HIV / AIDS issues.
Next year onwards the program will be taken to the next
level of offering voluntary testing and counseling. The
program will also be taken to some of the community groups
such as employee family members and teachers.
In the third phase KPCL will make efforts to facilitate
ICTC and ART centre by tying up with nearby hospital / institute.
To facilitate an intervention of such a vast spread KPCL
has formed a HIV / AIDS Committee to monitor the implementation
of the program.
