The Private Sector Federation (PSF) has called for greater provision of HIV-related services in the private companies still lagging behind due to limited number of informed HIV focal points in programme management basics (planning, implementation, evaluation and reporting) and lack of a clear resource planning and mobilization strategy.

This was highlighted during a meeting to discuss the status of HIV/AIDS and the role of the private sector in thE journey towards ending AIDS in Rwanda.

The meeting was held ahead of the U.N. General Assembly High-Level meeting on HIV and AIDS that is due to take place in New York from June 8 to 10.

Dieudonne Ruturwa, the UNAIDS community mobilisation and networking advisor, noted that the political declaration considers involvement of the Private sector as essential actors in response to AIDS and, therefore, UN sees it as relevant to support and encourage enhanced strategic engagement with the private sector.

Talking about the global targets of the fast-track agenda to end AIDS, Ruturwa said there is need to accelerate focused, innovative and evidence informed programmes. This will help countries reach global targets of 90 per cent of people living with HIV accessing voluntary HIV testing, 90 per cent of those living with HIV getting treatment, and 90 per cent of those on treatment to get their viral load suppressed by 2020.

Leon Pierre Rusanganwa, the PSF Global Fund Project Officer, said HIV is a labour issue, which is why private companies should maintain the promise of developing and implementing HIV policies at their workplaces.

"HIV/AIDS does not only affect workers on the job; it also causes a major strain on company profitability, family savings and resources. Employers must be on the forefront of the fight against HIV/AIDS in the workplace,” he said.

He called upon private companies to work in collaboration with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) and PSF to develop and implement workplace programmes for all health areas in their establishments.

The HIV standard minimum package, that was also developed, early 2011, involved consultations with PSF staff, private companies, UN agencies, RBC and the Civil Society Organizations.

It addressed elements of HIV and AIDS response within the private sector companies namely: prevention, treatment, care and support, impact mitigation, human resources and management.

It aims at establishing the HIV context in the private sector using available data sources, and extends the package which was disseminated, adopted and used by different companies and the extent to which it contributed to behaviour change, and access to HIV related services in private companies.

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