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U.S. ENVOY CAUTIONS INDUSTRY AGAINST
HIV/AIDS, URGES IT TO PLAY A GREATER ROLE IN
PREVENTION
July 08, 2005
Mumbai -- The U.S. Embassy Charge D’ Affaires
Robert O. Blake today emphasized the need for
increasing the private sector’s response for HIV
prevention and care and urged business and
industry to guard against this spreading health
problem.
Addressing a group of CEOs here on the occasion
of Occupational Health Day, Mr. Blake lauded the
economic achievements of Mumbai, but cautioned
that business growth could be jeopardized if more
is not done to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS.
“AIDS is a major public health problem that has
potentially serious social and economic
consequences for society. HIV/AIDS affects adults
in their productive years and leads to decrease in
productivity and increased health costs,” said Mr.
Blake. “If unchecked, HIV/AIDS can cause serious
damage to the growth of business and industry.”
Mr. Blake applauded the efforts of Tata Steel,
Bharat Petroleum and the Godrej Foundation for
developing policies for the management of HIV/AIDS
in the workplace. He said this is a small
beginning of the HIV/AIDS response needed from
business in Mumbai, a city that shapes the
national economy.
Mr. Blake appreciated the Indian Government’s
commitment and the leadership of Dr. S. Y. Quraishi,
Director General, National AIDS Control Organisation
(NACO), in leading the fight against HIV/AIDS and
emphasized that AIDS is everyone’s responsibility.
Remarking on the high vulnerability of the
unorganized sector to HIV/AIDS, Mr. Blake underlined
the need for the corporate sector to support HIV
workplace programs for the workers in the
unorganized sector. Commending the good work carried
out by the Maharashtra Network of Positive People,
he said that people living with HIV/AIDS should be
involved in planning HIV workplace intervention
programs.
The theme for Occupational Health Day this year
is “Workplace Interventions for HIV prevention and
care”. The event is organized by the Bombay Chamber
of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the
Indian Association of Occupational Health and the
USAID-supported Avert Society. The purpose is to
stimulate the business sector to move from
“Commitment to Action”.
The U.S. Government is supporting HIV workplace
programs through the Avert Society in the State of
Maharashtra, including support for interventions by
the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the
Confederation of Indian Industry and other large
business associations to reach 448 industries.
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