Keells eliminating AIDS successful

The world unites in its battle against HIV and AIDS today, World AIDS Day, by increasing awareness about the disease, fighting prejudice and improving education.

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 involved in creating HIV/AIDS awareness over the past few years, through a three year programme.

The target was creating awareness among its staff, the communities around its business locations and the general public. 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 5000 employees of the group have benefitted 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 Programme of the Ministry of Health and the International Labour Organisation/US Department of Labour (ILO/USDOL) HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Programme.

Meanwhile, stage three takes the campaign on an island wide scale to the masses.

The programme is supported by the Ministry of Health and the ILO/USDOL HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Programme.