The Private Sector Federation on Thursday launched a five-year strategic plan to fight HIV/AIDS in work places within the private sector, with the intention of building on past successes as well as identifying gaps and challenges faced by the sector in the fight against the pandemic.

In a meeting organized by PSF in Kigali, over 30 representatives from private enterprises and CNLS discussed the sector’s strategic plan and the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS).

In his address, Antoine Manzi, in charge of development and entrepreneurship at PSF, said that with an increased number of employees worldwide contracting HIV in workplaces, companies must consider the rising cost of health insurance, sick leave, funeral benefits, as well as the recruitment and training of new staff.

"It is in this regard that a strategic plan was developed as well as the UNGASS National Report, which amongst other issues, seeks to fight against HIV/AIDS,” he said.
He added that the strategic plan will be transformed into an action plan that will be integrated in PSF’s operational plan for immediate implementation.

"It is essential that members of the private sector fight the scourge, because when the number of infected people is reduced in the sector, business grows and the economy of the country also benefits,” Dieudonne Ruturwa, the Social Mobilization Advisor, UNAIDS said.

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