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Under our guidance work, our most recent projects have included companies in the following sectors: banking, telecommunications, mining, tourism, construction, transport, horticulture, and energy.
Established in 1964, the Development Finance Company of Uganda (DFCU) is one of Uganda’s fastest growing indigenous financial services institutions. DFCU offers a broad range of products including commercial banking, mortgages, long and medium term finance, and leasing. With 325 employees, DFCU has nine retail outlets, five of them in the capital Kampala. HIV/AIDS in Uganda. According to the 2006 report of the United Nations AIDS program, UNAIDS, there are approximately one million [850,000-1.2million] people living with HIV in Uganda. With national adult HIV prevalence at 6.7% in 2005, Uganda’s epidemic appears to have stabilized overall. National HIV prevalence peaked at around 15 percent in 1991, and had fallen to 5 percent as of 2001. This positive evolution should be seen as a result of significant behavior change (including sexual abstinence, condom use, and partner reduction) and increased AIDS mortality. HIV/AIDS Program Foundations DFCU has built the necessary infrastructure to ensure a strong foundation for its HIV/AIDS program. Working with IFC Against AIDS, the bank crafted an HIV/AIDS policy articulating its position on the epidemic and obligations to all employees. Consistent with the International Labor Organization and Federation of Uganda Employers’ codes on workplace HIV/AIDS issues, the policy is communicated through the staff handbook, a copy of which has been given to all staff. An action plan has been developed, and a coordinator for the HIV/AIDS program has been appointed along with an AIDS Committee comprising staff from various sections of the company. Chaired by the program coordinator, Rachel Dumba, who is also the Human Resources Manager, the AIDS committee is responsible for the overall implementation of the action plan. IFC Against AIDS has trained the AIDS committee on HIV/AIDS issues, as well as on understanding their role as a committee. Strong management commitment is a cornerstone of DFCU’s HIV/AIDS program. Senior management has addressed the issue of HIV/AIDS through the company’s HIV/AIDS policy, newsletter, and staff handbook. On an on-going basis during staff meetings and HIV/AIDS activities, senior management continues to encourage staff to embrace the services provided by the company in the areas of education and prevention, care and treatment. Awareness and education: DFCU has relayed its own commitment to HIV/AIDS by undertaking AIDS awareness activities as part of its outreach to staff, their families, and clients such as through the production of an original AIDS play, “Rays in the Dark”. The play’s premier was one of the activities organized to mark the launch of DFCU’s HIV/AIDS program in May 2006. Featuring the setting of a Bank, and performed by Afri-Talent, a local drama group, the play has been shown to all employees and their families, representatives from other companies, and customers. With a cast that includes two DFCU staff, the play communicates messages about stigma and discrimination, faithfulness to one’s partner (“zero grazing”), the “sugar daddy” syndrome (where older men go out with younger women), and knowing your status. The play has created a lot of positive attention to HIV/AIDS. Upon watching the play DFCU staff started requesting for HIV testing services, while some companies asked to show it to their own employees—demonstrating that innovative ways to communicate on a health issue such as through drama can improve people’s interest and demand for services. DFCU seeks to address HIV/AIDS issues in a holistic manner through a family perspective. The company has contracted two external HIV counselors from the Uganda Counseling Association to offer in-house counseling: a male counselor for male staff and a female counselor for female staff. Sometimes counselors see both employees and their spouses. The counseling is designed to address concerns in the context of HIV/AIDS around family related issues, stress management, and other social issues, and how these impact employee health status and job performance. DFCU commemorates World AIDS Day on December 1, every year with week long activities including talks on HIV/AIDS awareness, and HIV related branding aimed at drawing attention to the epidemic. Implementation and Partnerships Working with partners is critical to the successful implementation of DFCU’s HIV/AIDS program. DFCU contracted the services of Microcare, a local health insurance services provider to provide medical coverage for HIV/AIDS. Staff claims come directly to Microcare’s medical department where they are posted and reported on separately. No names are attached to any of the reports: only numbers. None of those go back to DFCU, thus ensuring the privacy of HIV infected staff. In order to establish a baseline for the HIV/AIDS program, Microcare is working on a survey of the Knowledge, Attitudes, Behaviors, and Practices (KABP) of the staff of DFCU on HIV/AIDS. Based on the KABP survey findings, Microcare is conducting HIV/AIDS awareness sessions for staff. DFCU’s partnership with Microcare has been enhanced as a result of their attendance at an IFC Against AIDS specialized training for service providers that is meant to enable them work better with IFC clients. DFCU has worked with Microcare in conjunction with the Workers Treatment Center, a healthcare facility, to offer Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) services to its staff and their family members. In October 2006, DFCU organized a VCT week at the company headquarters in the capital Kampala. Out of the 81 staff tested, five were found to be HIV positive, but their identities were not disclosed to DFCU. Other prevention services offered by the company include a dedicated peer education program, provision of condoms, and HIV/AIDS Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials. A total of 12 volunteer peer educators have been recruited and trained by Microcare. Peer educators actively promote behavior change within the workplace. IEC materials including posters and pamphlets are provided free of charge by the local UNAIDS office. DFCU buys condoms from a local nongovernmental organization, MSI Uganda. Every month 900 condoms are placed in the lavatories or handed to staff. Treatment and care: In 2005 DFCU started providing anti-retrovirals (ARVs) for all employees, one spouse and up to four biological children under the age of 18. The ARVs are part of the healthcare package for all employees provided through Microcare. For all medical needs, Microcare is managing a confidential system of referrals to health services providers. Community outreach: As part of its corporate social responsibility, DFCU supports the local community through a partnership with Hope Clinic Lukuli, a maternal and child care facility located near the capital Kampala. The clinic offers in-patient and out-patient services to the local community including reproductive health, child immunization, malaria, HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. In January 2007, DFCU donated US$ 6,000 towards mosquito nets, salaries for two HIV/AIDS counselors, and furnishing of the clinic’s labor ward. Earlier in 2006, DFCU donated medicine and furniture to the clinic. Additionally, DFCU reaches out to its clients and potential clients on HIV/AIDS issues. HIV/AIDS awareness is part of the appraisals for the companies for whom DFCU provides long and medium term financing. Working with IFC Against AIDS IFC Against AIDS started working with DFCU in 2005. Currently, IFC Against AIDS is providing guidance in the implementation of DFCU’s workplace program. IFC Against AIDS will provide financial support to DFCU in the implementation of its HIV/AIDS program through a performance based grant to be matched by the company. Future Plans In moving ahead with the implementation of its HIV/AIDS action plan, DFCU plans to have a more structured delivery of VCT services to staff on an on-going basis, and to strengthen its peer education program. See: http://www.dfcugroup.com  K-Rep Bank, KenyaMagadi Soda Company, KenyaMagana Flowers Kenya LtdMozal II, MozambiqueMTN NigeriaSerena Hotels, KenyaHernic Ferrochrome, South AfricaOdebrecht, AngolaView a video on the Odebrecht HIV/AIDS workplace program. 150k speed and above (21MB). INDIA Ambuja CementApolo TyresBallapur Industries Limited (BILTUsha MartinJAMAICA Jamaica Public Service Company Limited | SITE TOOLS   |
