HIV AIDS

Few seconds can pass by and a change may not be noticed. As these seconds change into minute, 10 people globally contract HIV and, every minute, six die from AIDS. Every minute a child is born with HIV and every minute Aids kills another child. AIDS which stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is human viral disease that ravages the immune system, undermining the body's ability to defend itself from infection and disease. Caused by HIV, AIDS leaves an infected person vulnerable to opportunistic infections. Such infections can be harmless in healthy people, but in those whose immune systems have been greatly weakened, they can prove fatal. The transmission of HIV can involve unprotected sex, blood transfusion, contaminated needles exchange, from infected mother to baby. Infection with HIV does not necessarily mean that a person has AIDS. Some people who have HIV infection may not develop any of the clinical illnesses that define the full-blown disease of AIDS for ten years or more. Physicians prefer to use the term AIDS for cases where a person has reached the final, life-threatening stage of HIV infection. Although there is no cure for AIDS, new drugs are available that can prolong the life spans and improve the quality of life of infected people. The AIDS epidemic today is unparalleled in the challenges it poses to the world, and it is clearly an issue that no one can address alone. Business is an essential partner in the response to AIDS. The business sector like the other sectors is not immune from AIDS. But this sector is also in a unique position to respond to the epidemic, because of its reach with employees and the wider business community. Businesses can carry out broad programmes to reach out to customers and local communities through causerelated marketing and social investment initiatives. Businesses can initiate HIV education explaining in simple, easily understandable language on what HIV aids is? How HIV is and is not transmitted how it can be prevented? Businesses can conduct programs which typically include the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, distribution of free condoms. Condom distribution also educates people on the danger of unprotected sex. We can collaborate with local AIDS organizations to devise information materials and to provide counseling and support.

Involvement of the business sector in the response to HIV/AIDS is crucial to the success of any country's efforts against the epidemic. Businesses can mobilize support in various sectors, give enhanced visibility to the campaign to help keep HIV/AIDS on the international document, and engender a holistic robust civil society response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Businesses can contribute to training program for health care professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of opportunistic infections. The sector can fund in to produce and distribute anti retroviral drugs which it can sell for lower price or even give away free. As we are looking in global perspective we should not forget those who are the nearest, our employees or colleagues. Companywide policies should be developed to ensure that there is no discrimination against employees on the basis of real or perceived HIV status, and to ensure employee confidentiality. We can provide infected employees prophylaxis treatment against infections and antiretroviral therapy. Since there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, we need to come together and join hands to stop the AIDS from spreading. If we can help slow down and eventually stop the spread of AIDS, then we can save many precious lives. I strongly believe that business can be a genuine and valued partner in the global fights against this terrible epidemic.