The HIV/AIDS challenge in South Africa

We4 initiated this project because we realised that the Volvo Group was also being affected by the AIDS epidemic. We understood that the Group had employees who were dying and that we could help them to change their lives. It was quite simply the right thing to do.”

At a ceremony at the Volvo Group’s headquarters, Ronelle van Eeden, general manager human resources, and Heena Makan, human resources manager, were presented with the award by the Volvo Group’s HR Director Stefan Johnsson and they talked about the award-winning project and the situation in South Africa.

“The challenge posed by HIV/AIDS in South Africa is enormous. Among our 50 million inhabitants, 20 per cent of the people aged between 20 and 60 are infected. At Volvo South Africa, we have 38 people with HIV, which corresponds to seven per cent of the employees.”

The award-winning HIV programme began in 2004 and it offers free tests and counselling.

“This gives us the statistics we need to do a good job and people who are aware of their positive HIV status can change their lives to start living in a healthy way and take the necessary medication. So our programme is really making a contribution to our employees’ lives,” says Ronelle.

She adds that the employees’ reactions have been positive. A survey that was conducted at the end of 2009 revealed that 90.3 per cent of the employees at Volvo South Africa felt that their employer cared about the employees’ well-being.

“This really goes to prove that our programme is successful,” says Ronelle van Eeden. “It’s also important to remember that it’s better for the company when its employees are healthy,” she adds.

Facts

 

The Volvo Group Workplace Safety,
Health and Well-being Award was instituted in 2006 to spotlight good examples of all the health-oriented work that is being done within the Volvo Group at global level and to inspire new projects.