Friday, April 2, 2010

MTN HIV/AIDS program

HIV/AIDS program: MTN Nigeria has come up with an extensive workplace and community HIV/AIDS program. Launched in October 2004, the AIDS program of MTN Nigeria seeks innovative ways to contribute to the reduction of HIV infections among staff, their families and communities via policies, capacity building, and strategies to reduce stigma and discrimination, while promoting risk-reduction behaviors. The internal program extends to all staff and their families in the company’s telephone network coverage areas.

A focal point together with a nine man HIV/AIDS committee manage the advent of the workplace and community program under the direction of the Corporate Affairs Department. The company has crafted an HIV/AIDS policy in line with the code of conduct of the International Labor Organization on HIV/AIDS, to guide the introduction of the program.

Awareness and Education: MTN Nigeria has put in place an extensive awareness and education program. In December 2004, with the help of Hope Worldwide Nigeria, a local Non Governmental Organization (NGO), the company carried out a survey to assess anonymously the Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Behaviors (KAPB) of the employees on HIV/AIDS. A total of 220 peer educators have been recruited and trained, a ratio of about one peer educator for every 10 employees. Currently peer educators undergo a three day training program at the end of which they develop a work plan of how to implement activities in their units. The company employs approximately 2,000 employees in Nigeria and already 30% of them have been reached by peer educators.

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