SOCIAL PARTNERSHIPS MOVING THE HIV/AIDS AGENDA FORWARD

Presented by Earl Moore

JaBCHA Consultant

Jamaica Business Council on HIV and AIDS (JaBCHA)

At Conference30 Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica (HRMA) at Wyndham Kingston Hotel – November 17 to 19, 2010

AREAS TO BE DISCUSSED

• The Triumphs
• The Struggles
• The Crisis
• The Solution – the National Foundation
• Why should we get involved
• How can you be a part of the moving the HIV/AIDS Agenda Forward

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THE TRIUMPHS OF SOCIAL PARTNERSHIP

• Global funding for the past 15 to 20 years has aided the National HIV Programme to achieve the following:

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• Keep the adult prevalence rate low and constant (1.5 – 1.7)
• Reduce mother to child transmission rate from 25% to <5%
• Provide free access to treatment and support services for persons living with HIV and AIDS
• Provide technical assistance in developing HIV workplace policies/programmes to over 150 private sector companies
• Establish the Jamaica Business Council on HIV/AIDS (JaBCHA)

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THE TRIUMPHS

Between 2008 and 2010, the national HIV programme was funded largely by Global donors to the tune of US80.40m with treatment and prevention receiving 33% and 38% respectively.

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THE STRUGGLES

• The global financial crisis affects fiscal sustainability of HIV/AIDS programs from two dimensions:

Revenues for both recipient and donor countries

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• In October 2010, the World Bank reported that in four years there will be no external funding.

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*Source: Fiscal Dimensions of HIV/AIDS in SADC Member Countries, World Bank, August 2010

THE CRISIS

The Crisis is that Jamaica’s National HIV Programme is largely dependent on external funding.

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Unlike other countries like T&T, Barbados, and St. Kitts and Nevis National Programmes that are financed predominantly from domestic revenues

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• NOW - there is a need to ensure the financial sustainability of the National HIV Programme

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*Source: Fiscal Dimensions of HIV/AIDS in SADC Member Countries, World Bank, August 2010

THE SOLUTION – THE FOUNDATION

• The establishment of a National Foundation is one Social Partnership strategy that can move the HIV/AIDS Agenda Forward

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• As an active partner, private sector companies are being asked to contribute to the foundation

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• The plan is to realize JA$1B over the next four years

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WHY SHOULD WE (THE PRIVATE SECTOR) CONTRIBUTE

• The Caribbean region HIV prevalence rates rank second only to Sub-Saharan Africa
• In the Caribbean, HIV and AIDS is the leading cause of deaths in the 20 to49 age groups (labour force) among both males and females

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In JAMAICA, the 20 to 49 age groups is most at risk

HIV BY AGE AND GENDER

1982 – 2009

WHY SHOULD WE (THE PRIVATE SECTOR) CONTRIBUTE

• The HIV epidemic in Jamaica remains generalized with an adult prevalence of 1.7% (2010 estimate) – 17 out of 1000 persons

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• UNAIDS estimates 27,000 people in Jamaica are infected with HIV, and men and women aged 20 to 44 account for 65% of reported AIDS cases

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• According to STATIN in October 2009, 65% of the employed labour force falls in the 20 to 44 age groups.

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THE REVELATION

• The reality is that your employers and employees are either infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.

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• It also reveals that the labour force from which you seek your employees are either infected or affected by HIV/AIDS

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WHY SHOULD WE (THE PRIVATE SECTOR) CONTRIBUTE

• If we don’t continue to control the HIV epidemic, it will lead to reduced market sizes for businesses.

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• There will be a decline in the total human resources available for production and investment.

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• Managing human resources within our companies will become more difficult and complicated.

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MOVING THE HIV/AIDS AGENDA

• The National Foundation will definitely assist in the financial sustainability of the programmes

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• It will ensure the nation’s ability to continue prevention and treatment interventions that have aided in the control the HIV epidemic

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• Your contribution is towards positive nation building and development.

• The establishment of the national foundation is initiated by the Jamaica Business Council on HIV and AIDS (JaBCHA) and endorsed by our global donors and the government

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JaBCHA’s mission is

• “To facilitate a structured Jamaican Business leadership response to mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS, eradicating HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination at the workplace and contributing to the eradication of HIV/AIDS in Jamaica.”

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THE JAMAICA BUSINESS COUNCIL ON HIV/AIDS

• JaBCHA was established by 21 private sector companies in September 2006.
• The JaBCHA initiative has received and continue to receive financial and technical support from USAID.
• JaBCHA became a registered organization in March 2010 and has developed a website
• JaBHCA membership has grown to 43 members.
• JaBCHA targets high-level leaders in the business sector

THE STRUGGLES

• Despite all the efforts, STIGMA and DISCRIMINATION is crippling the effectiveness and quality of the HIV/AIDS services and interventions in our society

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• Employees (especially those within the age groups of 20 to 44) need to know that irrespective of their HIV status, they will still have a JOB.

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• There is the need for more private sector companies to develop HIV workplace policies and programmes that will promote the human rights of people infected or affected by HIV and AIDS.

TO TRIUMPH WE NEED

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Initiatives within your companies

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• Your companies should develop HIV workplace policies and programmes that provide their staff with the freedom and opportunity to seek help and access services and products risk-free by removing barriers within the context and culture of the business.

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• Your companies should join the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s Voluntary Compliance Programme (VCP)

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO GET INVOLVE

• Contribute to the National Foundation
• Encourage your CEOs/EDs to commit financially

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• Become a member of JaBCHA
• Become a member of the Jamaica Business Council on HIV and AIDS and be a part of the voice

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• Join the MLSS Voluntary Compliance Programme
• Volunteer your company to be audited by the MLSS

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• Develop and implement an HIV Workplace Policy/Prgramme
• Allow Workplace Porgramme Officers to assist you in developing the company’s HIV workplace policy and programme

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS�

THANK YOU