The HIV/AIDS programme at Rössing forms an integral part of the Health Promotion Programme. A holistic approach is followed to address the total wellness of the workforce. The programme is designed for all employees. Those who are HIV positive are counselled and gain treatment and people who are HIV negative are assisted to retain this status. Rössing has a formally agreed HIV/AIDS policy, implemented since April 2000.

The HIV/AIDS programme at Rössing includes:

Peer Education Programme
The Peer Education Programme started in 1996. Peer educators share health messages with their colleagues on their own level in their own language.

The programme continues to be very successful with strong support from senior management. New peer educators are trained annually both at Rössing and in the community while existing peer educators receive refresher training from time to time.

Peer educators address various health and wellbeing topics such as HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, alcohol and drug abuse, smoking, healthy lifestyle, lifestyle diseases, malaria, tuberculosis, and personal financial management. The peer educators annually arrange and participate in activities on World AIDS day including fundraising efforts for local projects on HIV/AIDS.

Monthly talks by peer educators in every section at Rössing are conducted at forums such as five minute safety talks and monthly safety meetings.

Condom Distribution
Rössing obtains free condoms from the Ministry of Health and Social Services. Condoms are kept at the medical centre on site and are distributed from there by the peer educators in all change houses and other central points on the mine.

Treatment of HIV Positive Employees
Rossing encourages healthy lifestyles amongst all of its employees through health education. All Rossing employees have access to life extending antiretroviral therapy through their medical insurance. This cover also includes treatment for opportunistic diseases and secondary infections.

Awareness Programmes
During 2000, an intensive awareness campaign was undertaken for all employees (including senior management and all off site offices). The Health Promotion Officer presented workshops (interactive) for all employees and it was attended by the full workforce. Posters and pamphlets are available and accessible although this is not believed to be the most effective way of spreading the message. Articles on relevant health topics are published in the Rössing News on a regular basis.

Community Awareness Programmes
The Health Promotion Officer conducts HIV/AIDS awareness training twice a year at the Namibian Institute for Mining and Technology in Arandis for new apprenticeship intakes.

The Health Promotion Officer represents Rössing on the District Public Health Care Committee which co-ordinates all HIV/AIDS and other health initiatives in the district of Swakopmund.

Health Awareness Training, including HIV/AIDS, has been conducted for the spouses of employees in Arandis in the past and it is planned to expand this initiative to Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.

The Health Promotion Officer is invited from time to time to give presentations on HIV/AIDS at workshops organised by the community.

Training Programmes
Peer educator training programmes are conducted for Rössing workers, community members and school learners of local communities on an annual base. The Health Promotion Officer is actively involved with the recruitment and selection of prospective peer educators.

This is done in coordination with the Occupational Health Education and Assistance Programme (OHEAP) from the Chamber of Mines. Rössing report peer educator activities and statistics annually to the Health Coordinator of the OHEAP Programme.

The way forward - Rössing's perspective

• To stay in touch with new developments re: HIV/AIDS and implement where appropriate.
• Continuous improvement on peer education and other awareness programmes
• Research programmes measuring impact of the epidemic on the company, eg leave, sick leave, productivity, etc.
• Establish measures to quantify and address the outcomes of the above.