JKHL creates awareness on HIV/AIDS

The world unites in its battle against HIV and AIDS on December 1 - World AIDS Day, by increasing awareness about the disease and fighting prejudice.

AIDS has killed more than 25 million people, with an estimated 33.2 million people living with HIV, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history.

Despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic still continues to spread, primarily aided by the lack of awareness.

The theme for World AIDS Day 2007 is "Stop AIDS: Keep the promise - Leadership" and this is what John Keells Holdings has been working towards.

The company has been actively involved in creating HIV/AIDS awareness over the past few years, through a three-year program, launched in 2006/07, that targets creating awareness among its staff, the communities around its business locations and the public.

The project is implemented by the Group's CSR arm - John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation and is the first such campaign launched by a corporate in Sri Lanka.

Even though Sri Lanka has been classified by the UNAIDS as a low prevalence country, the presence of conflict and poverty are factors that could affect this adversely.

Having identified the potential impact that HIV/AIDS can have on Sri Lanka, the Foundation's goal was to create awareness of HIV and AIDS, how the virus spreads, how it could be prevented and the care and support needed by the infected and the affected.

The first phase of the initiative was dedicated to building awareness among the staff of John Keells Group Companies; and to date, more than 5,000 employees of the group have benefited from the Staff Awareness Campaign, which continues to run parallel to the second phase activities.

The second stage looked at raising awareness among vulnerable groups and external communities.

This involved raising awareness among high-risk groups around the Group's business locations through interactive sessions carried out in collaboration with the National STD/AIDS Control Program of the Ministry of Health and the International Labour Organisation/US Department of Labour (ILO/USDOL) HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Program.