Caltex ambassadors to fight AIDS

Every 10 seconds someone somewhere in the world is infected by AIDS. In 2009 alone, 3000 Sri Lankans were infected with this deadly virus and 150 lost their lives.

The HIV and AIDs virus is a fast spreading illness in Sri Lanka.

Statistics reveal that approximately 40 percent of the new infections that occur take place among youth aged between 15 and 24 years.

Responding to the threat affecting the social well-being and development of the community, Caltex stepped forward to help eradicate the spread of AIDs through a major awareness campaign for over 1000 private sector employees in the country.

A series of awareness building seminars will be conducted together with the Lanka Business Coalition, with the specific aim of building AIDs ambassadors on 'Safety, Protection and Awareness'.

This special private sector task force of ambassadors will be trained to campaign critical messages on HIV and AIDS to the public.

The seminars will be conducted by expert HIV and AIDs trainers using practical demonstrations on preventative methods and group discussions.

"Caltex is a committed corporate ambassador for HIV and AIDs in the country.

Creating awareness to stop the spread of the fatal virus has been a concerted effort.

This year, we felt it was a vital need to take on a more aggressive role where we promote the concept of 'ambassadorship' to the private sector.

We strongly believe that this training mechanism will help us reach thousands of Sri Lankans across the country" said Managing Director and CEO of Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC Kishu Gomes.

Approximately 75% - 90% of the people infected are not aware of the infection till a late stage, which in most cases is too late to begin treatment.

"Once you're infected, the productivity of the individual reduces dramatically. This is a significant loss, considering this scenario in the context of the 3000 Sri Lankans being infected, with the number increasing on a yearly basis" he said.

Caltex is an active member of the Lanka Business Coalition on HIV and AIDs (LBCH). The Coalition was established after the 8th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICCAP) which was held in Sri Lanka in August 2007.

LBCH is modelled on the Global Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS and is a member of the Asia Pacific Business Coalition on AIDS.

The goal of LBCH is to leverage the business community to make a committed response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

It also provides a platform from which policies and awareness programs can be coordinated and executed efficiently by pooling resources and knowledge that exists within the business community.

Caltex, together with the Lanka Business Coalition will work to significantly contribute in making Sri Lanka a community united in purpose, to help eradicate the spread of HIV and AIDs.