KCCI, PSI ink MoU on concerns of HIV/AIDS

The Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Population Services International (PSI), an NGO, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly address the concerns of HIV impacting businesses through loss of skilled workforce and increased absenteeism and creating awareness about HIV/AIDS at workplace.

Speaking to reporters after signing the MoU here yesterday, Ravi Subbaiah, Team Leader, PSI-Connect said the ''vulnerability of the industrial and informal sector workforce to HIV/AIDS is highly underestimated.'' With this collaboration, PSI will take AIDS awareness to this segment and pave way for a healthy and productive workforce, which is the key to the Nations progress. The PSI-Connect project finds credence from PSI's global corporate AIDS programme which has functioned with corporates from over 25 countries, he said. Backed by Key partners, including United States Agency for International Development and the International Labour Organization (ILO), PSI-Connect promises to mobilize private sector response to HIV/AIDS in India.

As a Technical support partner, ILO brings Considerable institutional knowledge to support the CONNECT initiatives, Mr Subbaiah said. According to NACO, India had an estimated 2.47 million people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) at the end of 2007. This meant India was in the third position with regard to absolute number of infections after South Africa and Nigeria, he said. PSI was also dedicated to improve public health in India, particularly the improvement of reproductive and sexual health and the health of mothers and children, he added.

-- (UNI) -- 01MS10.xml

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