Del Monte Kenya Ltd has received commendation for its HIV/AIDS Workplace Program at the 2011 Global Business Coalition (GBC) Business Action on Health Awards.
The awards, which are presented by the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, recognize the best corporate programs developed to address global health needs.
Del Monte Kenya’s HIV/AIDS Workplace Program made a final shortlist of 9 out of more than 70 programs from companies all over the world nominated to contest the workplace/ workforce engagement category under the awards. Gold Fields Ghana Ltd won the category.
The winners will receive their awards during GBC’s annual conference on June 2nd 2011 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York, USA.
The GBC is a non-profit making organization formed to fight HIV/AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Its membership is global and it has a local chapter in Kenya.
Del Monte Kenya Ltd Managing Director Mr. Stergios Gkaliamoutsas welcomed the commendation terming it an endorsement of the company’s success in combating HIV/AIDS under its HIV/AIDS workplace program.
Del Monte Kenya launched the program in 2001 to create awareness about the disease among its staff and the neighboring community at a time when the company was losing an average 40 employees per year to the disease. HIV/AIDS prevalence in Thika at the time stood at 37.4 percent.
Mr. Hesbon Madoya, Coordinator of the program says the Del Monte program was found to be unique as it’s fully integrated into the company’s medical scheme with the company taking overall care of the employees’ welfare both at the workplace and at the community. It also addresses Malaria control.
While launching the program in 2001, Del Monte Kenya partnered with the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) and the Population Services International to create awareness about the disease particularly among its employees and the community, and occasion a behavioral change.
An initial 94 Peer Educators drawn from staff and community were trained and released to educate fellow staff, their families and community about the disease and to encourage them to talk openly about it.
Voluntary testing was encouraged, counseling given where necessary with the PSI and Liverpool VCT further training the staff and community on the use of female condoms. Condom dispenses were also installed for use by the staff and community.
In 2009 the GBC Kenyan Chapter introduced the Wellness Program which was a combined approach of addressing the HIV/ TB/ Malaria diseases at the workplace. Through the program, GBC with cooperation from Hope Worldwide encouraged more companies to start HIV/AIDS management programs, interact and share experiences and where necessary undertake joint initiatives targeted at both staff and community.
Through a Youth Enterprise Programme introduced by Hope Worldwide , Del Monte has been able to empower some 280 youth with computer skills as well as create HIV/AIDS, and drug & substance abuse awareness among them.
Madoya says Del Monte Kenya has established a full medical department and the HIV/AIDS Workplace program is now fully integrated into the company’s medical scheme, with HIV/AIDS handled as a normal disease.
Del Monte Kenya is also working with the Kenya Human Rights Commission, local churches and other local organizations in implementing the program beyond the company.
The program has largely been successful as the stigma that was initially associated with the disease has been removed and those diagnosed with the disease now live positively. The company now registers between 2-3 deaths annually, from a high of 40 deaths a decade ago. The initiative as well as that of other stakeholders who include government, NGOs, other companies etc has helped reduced the overall HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Thika to 4.1 percent from a high of 37.4 percent.
The Coordinator says as a matter of fact, 7 employees have even come out in the open to declare their HIV/AIDS status and are being supported by the company and the Thika District Hospital to manage their health, as well as establish self-support programs.
The success of the program in the last one decade is the reason why the Kenyan Chapter of GBC nominated it for the 2011 Global Business Coalition (GBC) Awards for Business Action on Health.
While announcing the 2011 winners, the GBC said the business community has a major impact on global health, and this year’s winning companies reflect the private sector’s ongoing commitment to making positive contributions to the lives of employees and the communities in which they do business.
“From delivering prevention messages and training, to establishing systems that ensure people in isolated parts of the world have access to the most effective treatments, and using technology to improve health outcomes, this year’s winners leveraged their strengths and assets to make a difference”, said the GBC in a press release.
According to GBC’s president and CEO Mr. John E. Tedstrom, the 2011 awards were the most competitive in their history describing the participants as the most innovative and effective ever. “Governments and community groups increasingly look to business not just for partnership, but for real leadership in health programs. This year’s winners and finalists prove that business is up to the challenge”, he said as he congratulated the winners.
Awards are given in six categories: Workplace/ Workforce Engagement; Community Investment; Application of Core Competence; Partnership/Collective Action; Technology for Health; and Eradicating Root Causes of Poor Health.
About Del Monte Fresh Produce Company
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as a leading producer and distributor of prepared food in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the countries formerly part of the Soviet Union. Fresh Del Monte markets its products worldwide under the Del Monte® brand, a symbol of product innovation, quality, freshness and reliability for more than 100 years.
Source: Del Monte Fresh Produce Company