Contacts: In Delhi
Sudip Mozumder
(91 11) 2461-7241
smozumder@worldbank.org In Washington:
Erik Nora (202) 458 4735
enora@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, July 24, 2007 ─ India’s private sector stands to gain much from supporting interventions aimed at preventing HIV both at the workplace and in local communities, says a World Bank report released today. The report – Corporate Responses to HIV/AIDS – says a large share of India’s population who are employees of Indian industry are vulnerable to HIV, and the disease affects primarily young and middle-aged adults during their peak productive years. Businesses bring critical advantages in ensuring prevention and control of HIV and AIDS, including management skills, resources, and influence over the general workforce, the report says. “As India emerges as a global economic power, it is important that Indian businesses pursue business practices and policies that are in the best interest of the community at large,” said Mariam Claeson, the World Bank’s HIV/AIDS Coordinator for the South Asia Region.” Businesses have much to offer and to gain from early decisive action to prevent HIV and reduce the cost and social impact of AIDS.” The report says AIDS has a direct impact on companies’ profitability in hard hit countries. In the worst case scenario the economic effects are observed in greater absenteeism and staff turnover, higher recruitment and training costs, and higher costs in medical care or insurance coverage, and retirement funds. Assessing the economic impact of AIDS is difficult, but the report points out that that some of the hardest-hit countries with generalized epidemics may forfeit 2 percent or more of annual GDP growth. Even in countries with overall low HIV prevalence, such as India, the mere cost of treating people living with HIV and AIDS will be a huge economic and social burden to society. Early decisive action by companies, that reach a large share of the population at risk, pays off.
Despite the important role that Indian businesses can play in the fight against AIDS and in tackling stigma associated with AIDS among its workforce, only a small share of the private sector — around 70 companies — are engaged in fighting HIV and AIDS. The report says by playing a more active role, together with government and civil society, companies have an opportunity to exercise leadership in a way that helps millions. This report features five case studies illustrating approaches that private and public sector companies have used in HIV and AIDS interventions in India. These companies include Reliance Industries Limited, Transport Corporation of India, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, DCM Shriram Consolidated Limited, and Hindustan Lever Limited. “The case studies illustrate the importance of integrating multiple stakeholders in the fight against HIV and AIDS,” said Shanthi Divakaran, World Bank HIV/AIDS coordinator for the South Asia Finance and Private Sector unit, and one of the authors of the report. “They also highlight the growing investment of businesses in that fight — an investment that recognizes their vulnerability to the economic and social impact of the epidemic. And they show that businesses are ready to demonstrate their social responsibility by tackling HIV and AIDS through their networks.” The report says the heterogeneous nature of the epidemic in India suggests that there is no one strategy for Indian businesses in the fight against HIV. Businesses that employ groups most at risk, such as truckers, may need to implement targeted interventions. But all businesses can contribute to curbing the epidemic through a set of activities such as generating awareness about HIV and AIDS; reducing stigma; pursuing high-level advocacy efforts; creating an HIV policy for the workplace; and providing referrals for counseling and testing. Since the report was put together, the Government of India has announced a major revision of their estimates of HIV prevalence in the country. Estimates of adults in the age group 15-40 years infected with HIV are now 2-3 million, down from the 2005 estimate of 5.2 million adults infected. However, this does not argue for complacency. As the epidemic has evolved, rates among some groups practicing high risk behavior have approached 60 percent. Sexual networks of these groups are known to be wide and inter-digitated, with the potential to spread HIV among the wider community. It is clear that the widest participation of the government and society-at-large is essential to deal with the problem effectively. To access the full report, visit http://go.worldbank.org/W2TEJOZP00 To learn more about HIV and AIDS in South Asia, visit http://www.worldbank.org/saraids To lean more about the World Bank in India, visit http://www.worldbank.org/in |
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