Kenyan Private Sector Must Strengthen Workplace Initiatives to Address HIV/AIDS, Other Health Issues, International Finance Corporation Says

Kenyan companies must step up their efforts to address HIV/AIDS and other health issues affecting their employees to help improve worker productivity and business performance, International Finance Corporation, the private sector branch of the World Bank, said Wednesday at a conference in the country's capital, Nairobi, the Xinhua News Agency reports. IFC Against AIDS -- a specialized program that works with private companies to create and implement sustainable programs that address health risks, including HIV/AIDS, in the workplace -- convened the event. At the conference, attendees learned about how IFC client companies have used resources and best practices to establish programs that increase employee productivity through workplace HIV/AIDS and wellness interventions, Xinhua News Agency reports. "Private sector employers increasingly recognize that to protect their profitability, they must holistically address workplace health issues," IFC Senior Manager for Eastern Africa Jean Philippe Prosper in a statement said, adding, "Comprehensive wellness programs that go beyond HIV/AIDS education will help companies become more competitive." Catherine Waruhiu, regional human resource manager of Serena Hotels and one of the participants at the conference, said, "Health problems among staff are taking a significant toll on business productivity due to increased treatment costs and time lost through absenteeism," adding, "As a group, Serena is emphasizing a preventative approach to health risk management" (Xinhua News Agency, 4/11).

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