The threat of HIV/AIDS is not merely an issue related to health, but the industrialists should see it as a threat to their business, opined experts in a recent seminar conducted by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Indian Business Trust (IBT) for HIV/AIDS in Chennai. The seminar was conducted as part of CII’s HIV/AIDS prevention program, by engaging the business leadership for the business’ response to AIDS.

Among 42 million people affected by HIV/AIDS, 26 million are working people. High prevalence of HIV among the age group of 14 to 49 will affect productivity of the nation. Absenteeism, expenditure for treatment and further recruitment of employees and lack of employees, affect the industry. The industrialists should take the matter as the problem of sustenance rather than a health related issue, said Dr. S Y Qurashi, director general, National AIDS Control Organisation.

According to the assessment of Asian Development Bank, the loss due to HIV infection is seven billion dollars and this will increase to 17 billion dollars by the end of the year 2010. By 2015, nineteen African countries are likely to suffer by loss of 10% of their workers. Dr. Qurashi warned that though the prevalence of AIDS in India is less than one per cent, the situation could become alarming gradually.

So far the business leaders are involved in activities against HIV/AIDS and the need of the hour is to join medium, small scale industrialists with the group for the awareness programs, said Dr. Michel Lavollay, senior adviser, Private Sector, Global Fund of fight AIDS, TB & Malaria.

The Indian Business Trust for HIV/AIDS has started an awareness programme on HIV/AIDS for employees and businessmen in industry. The CII and IBT has framed an HIV/AIDS code for industry which includes development of a workplace policy for industry and framing of workplace protocols which are standardized on ISO 9002 and to pressurize all 5000 + member companies of CII to adopt the HIV/AIDS Policy for Industry by the end of this year. The organization also focuses on partnership projects with NGOs to provide employment and income generation to HIV positive persons and donation of equipment and tools for the purpose.

Dr. Tarun Das, Chief Mentor, CII & Managing Trustee, IBT presided the function.