Milla Group on HIV/AIDS sensitization & testing of staff status
Milla Group Sierra Leone one of the leading plastic manufacturing companies in the country has partnered with Business Coalition against Aids in Sierra Leone (BCASL) to organise a one day staff sensitization and testing on HIV/AIDS at the Door Christian Church Hall Ferry Junction in Freetown. (Photo: Cross –section of Milla Staff and HIV AIDS trainers from Business Coalition against Aids Sierra Leone)
The sensitization programme attracted staff from various departments of the company which is part of their administrative response to the health and safety of workers so as to enhance their awareness.
Welcoming the participants at the sensitization programme the Personnel Manager of Milla Group Sierra Leone limited John Lansana said the objective of the sensitization is to educate staff of the company on HIV/AIDS prevention and control and testing of staff status.
The Environmental and Health Safety consultant of the company Anthony Davies explained that the sensitization programme is part of the company’s occupational health and safety of staff of Milla Group.
In a power point presentation a Public Health Officer Sister Fanta Amara highlighted signs and symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) and HIV/AIDS.
She said globally there are 36.9 million people infected with the disease and 25.8 million are in Sub-Saharan Africa whilst 1.2 million have died of HIV/AIDS in 2014.
She also spoke about the need for staff of the company to always be careful with their sexual partners as it will lead them to contract many diseases like syphilis, Gonorrhoea and HIV /AIDS without the use of condom.
Hannah Lawrence a HIV/AIDS Councillor at the Princess Christian Maternity Health Centre (PCMH) who conducted the HIV/AIDS test on staff said their test results will be confidential.
She added that a periodic test should be conducted at every six months to determine their status and the tests are available in all health centres for free of charge and encouraged the staffs to always report to health centres for any health complications.
The National Coordinator for Business Coalition against Aids in Sierra Leone JoyceWuyah Abu said they are working with several businesses in the coalition to promote HIV/AIDS awareness in the work place.
She said the coalition is currently working with businesses to formulate a HIV/AIDS work place policy for staff. She cautioned that people infected with the disease at work places should not be discriminated against because of their status.
She added that HIV/AIDS positives can also contribute towards the growth of the company while taking their treatment.
The sensitization programme was chaired by Francis Abu coordinator of the company, distribution of leaflets and condoms to staff of Milla Group formed a high point of the ceremony.
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