WBI's Health and HIV/AIDS program helps to build a network of central and state level health institutions to deliver training on health sector reform and health policies. This program is in direct support to the Government’s National Rural Health Mission.

 

The HIV/AIDS component of the program has started work with Indian journalism schools for strengthening their capacity to train students in ethical and effective HIV/AIDS reporting.

 

HIV/AIDS and the private sector

 

A third element of the program works with the private sector and helps build the capacity of small and medium IT companies to implement HIV/AIDS interventions and fight HIV/AIDS related stigma for their employees and clients.

 

The World Bank’s program in India supports investments at the national and state level in critical sectors including Health and AIDS. It is the World Bank's overall strategy to mainstream HIV/AIDS across sectors, specifically targeting the private sector.

 

HIV/AIDS provides a good entry point to promote social responsibility of businesses and mobilize the private sector to address health issues of its workforce and surrounding communities, especially in regions most affected by the epidemic.

 

The private sector also offers many advantages to assist in the scaling-up of the HIV/AIDS response, such as networks to facilitate the spread of HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention education, medical facilities for HIV/AIDS service delivery and market influence.

 

In a joint program, the World Bank Institute (WBI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Indian Business Trust for HIV/AIDS work with private companies and key sectors in India to strengthen their responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and fight related stigma, with special focus on the growing IT sector.

 

The IT sector can play a critical leadership role in India's fight against HIV/AIDS and stigma. It has a unique interest in the future of India’s youth. Young people are key workers and customers of IT companies, and major drivers in the sector’s growth and development. Also, many IT companies can reach parts of India where HIV prevalence is the highest, considering the heterogeneous nature of India's epidemic.

 

The WBI/CII/IBT program provides companies with a forum to share experiences and best practices and develop a common agenda for action for HIV/AIDS and stigma reduction in and by companies in the IT sector.

 

The web portal on private sector response to HIV/AIDS and stigma provides more information and is a platform to share experiences and best practice.

 

Case Studies

 

The World Bank, in collaboration with Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) finalized a set of five case studies on best practices of Indian companies implementing HIV/AIDS initiatives.

 

More on the World Bank and HIV/AIDS