KIGALI - In a bid to step up the fight against the HIV/AIDS scourge in the private sector, the Private Sector Federation (PSF) in conjunction with the German development agency, GTZ, will this Thursday conduct a voluntary HIV/AIDS testing for CEOs and heads of business within the private sector.

Addressing the press ahead of the activity to be conducted simultaneously across all East African Community member states, the new CEO of PSF, Roger Munyampenda, said that the campaign is part of the larger efforts by the private sector to support government efforts in the fight against the scourge.

"The activity which we are going to conduct this Thursday, which is the free testing of CEOs, will be held on the same day, same time and with the same goal across all EAC member states,” Munyampenda told the press.

"This will be an activity to show that people at the management level can voluntarily test for HIV/AIDS and they will serve as an example for their staff at the lower levels of management”.

The event which will be held at Laico Umubano Hotel between 9 AM and 1 PM, will see CEOs, heads of businesses, owners of big and small businesses from the country’s private sector turning up to voluntarily check on their HIV status.

Munyampenda noted that much as the programme was planned earlier, it is part of the function held earlier this weekend during the Private Sector Summit to raise funds for the Global Fund.

Rwanda’s Private Sector raised $2 million during the Summit organised in conjunction with the Government of Rwanda, Friends of Africa and Global Fund.

According to Munyampenda, the turn up is expected to be "impressive” but he could not specify how many people will turn up given that it is voluntary. He however added that a large number is expected to turn up.

He noted that the campaign is part of the preventive measures the private sector is putting in place to reduce the HIV prevalence in the sector and also ensure access to drugs.

"We are well aware that this pandemic does not only affect the labour market but it also hinders the productivity of the people and the clientele,” Munyapenda said.

He noted that the campaign is part of the larger programme to counter the scourge in the private sector through Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.

The campaign in the region is coordinated by the East African Business Council (EABC).

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