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Like
black economic empowerment, HIV/AIDS is an issue of relevance to all
of our stakeholders. Here we provide a synopsis, together with an
indication of where the issue is dealt with in the report.
For the past 16 years, Old Mutual has been involved in addressing
the socially and economically crippling challenges caused by the HIV/AIDS
pandemic in South Africa. We understand its potential impact on our
employees, our customers, the communities we live in, and on our business.
As a result, our HIV/AIDS response forms an integral part of business
strategy. However, dealing with HIV/AIDS is not only about strategic
plans and macro-level calculations. It is about people, at a very
individual and personal level.
We invest in and drive programmes that have a positive impact on the
lives of people who are impacted by HIV/AIDS. We strive for a balance
between education for prevention, and access to treatment, care and
support.
Old Mutual’s HIV/AIDS strategy has four dimensions:
Business impact
We continually assess the potential financial and economic impact
of HIV/AIDS, and this activity is a key driver of the overall HIV/AIDS
strategy.
Financial services and advice — Customers
Despite being the first company to offer a comprehensive financial advice service (Omucare)
for people with a shortened life expectancy, including those who are
HIV positive, product development remains a challenge and we continue
to drive the development of suitable and affordable products.
Old Mutual is moving away from using exclusion clauses on our new
product range, and some life assurance products, albeit with limited
cover, do not require HIV testing. We’ve also developed a specific
HIV/AIDS disease management programme as part of our medical schemes
offering.
When dealing with HIV/AIDS in the context of customers, we strive
to do everything possible to ensure equity among the millions of people
whose savings we look after.
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THE
TABLE BELOW POINTS YOU TO MORE DETAILED REPORTING ON OUR HIV/AIDS
ACTIVITIES
| ISSUE |
DESCRIPTION |
LINK |
| HIV/AIDS
and our business activities |
 |
Business
impact |
|
Products
and financial advice |
|
 |
| HIV/AIDS
workplace programme |
|
HIV
seroprevalence assessment |
|
“Know
Your Status” campaign |
|
Education
programme for staff |
|
National
Peer Education Programme |
|
Youth
Workshop |
|
HIV/AIDS
disease management programme |
|
|
| Social
investment |
|
REDI
health and welfare |
|
Soul
City and Soul Buddyz |
|
AIDS
orphans programme |
|
Staff
volunteerism |
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Workplace
— Employees
During 2002, significant progress was made in the roll-out of
a more concerted HIV/AIDS workplace programme. Key activities
included: |
|
An
anonymous HIV/AIDS seroprevalence assessment conducted among
some 8 000 of our 13 000 employees nationally, yielding a 5%
HIV-positive result. |
|
A
“Know Your Status” campaign offering free confidential
HIV testing, including pre- and post-test counselling. |
|
The
extension of the HIV/AIDS Disease Management Programme to incorporate
the provision of antiretroviral (ART) treatment for those staff
members and their dependants electing to register for the programme. |
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An
ongoing HIV/AIDS education and training programme reached 6
000 employees. |
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A
national Peer Education Programme was launched. |
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Ongoing
evaluation of human resources policies and practices to ensure
alignment with current needs, and global disease management
trends. |
The broader community
Old Mutual works in partnership with community organisations and other
stakeholders to share resources and expertise in support of prevention
and care programmes.
Much of the work of the OMF is devoted to HIV/AIDS-related projects
and to helping address poverty. This includes an AIDS orphans programme
launched in 2002.
Old Mutual also supports Soul City, a high-profile, multi-media programme
that deals with a variety of social issues, including preventing HIV/AIDS
and supporting those living with the disease. The programme, together
with Soul Buddyz, positions the pandemic in the context of broader
health and social issues and reached some 20 million people in the
18 months to March 2002. |
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