'AIDS could severely deplete workforce in India'

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'AIDS could severely deplete workforce in India'

A new UN report on India has warned that the country's booming

economic growth could slow down if HIV-AIDS continues to spread

unchecked. India has the largest number of infected people in the

world. Realising the depth of the problem, donor agencies and

financial institutions are now looking at spreading awareness about

HIV-AIDS among corporates in India. Sabine Durier, principal

strategy officer with International Finance Corporation (IFC), the

private sector arm of the World Bank, and programme leader, 'IFC

Against AIDS' speaks to Sujata Dutta Sachdeva on the initiative:

AIDS is becoming a critical issue for every company across the

world. What is the kind of awareness about the epidemic in corporate

India?

In 2005, the number of HIV-infected persons exceeded 5.7 million in

India and this number is expected to quintuple to between 20 million

and 25 million by 2010. In fact, the epidemic is much more severe in

south India.

With this kind of jump in the number of HIV cases in the next 5-10

years there is bound to be a visible impact on the economy.

It's estimated that five African countries viz Botswana, Mozambique,

Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, will lose up to a third of their

workforce to AIDS by 2020. The problem could be as severe here too.

What role can the private sector play in managing the disease?

They can help in curbing the problem at the root. And it can be done

at three levels. First, at the level of the workers by creating

awareness to prevent further infection. Special clinics with

counsellors need to be opened.

Also regular lectures about the disease need to be given to

employees. Second, they can help in spreading the message within the

community which is at risk like truck drivers, migrant workers,

labourers.

Third, companies should work within the supply chain. For example,

they can spread the message among the employees of the security

agency or catering firm hired by them. In this way, the programme

can be replicated at various levels and more people can be covered.

What role can donor agencies and financial institutions play?

Corporates should be made aware of the impact the disease can have

on their bottomlines. Besides medical costs, the cost of losing

trained workers is high.

It means lesser productivity, and the additional cost of looking for

a replacement and training them to fill the gap. Investment on AIDS

awareness programmes is a cost-saving mechanism for corporates.

A large part of the financial institution/donor agencies job is to

work as a matchmaker between the NGOs and corporates. IFC has also

pitched in by part financing HIV/AIDS programmes in corporates for

up to three years. In fact, many Indian companies have successfully

introduced modules in their factories and sites.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1878985.cms