With a population HIV prevalence rate of about 11%, South Africa is home to the world's largest population of people living with HIV (5.7 million in 2009). In 2009, the UNAIDS Global HIV Report estimated that around 18% of the economically active sector of the population was infected with HIV.
Following years of slow growth the scaling up of anti-retroviral treatment (ART) access has received a boost under new leadership of the National Department of Health. At the beginning of 2011 it was estimated that 1.2 million South Africans were receiving antiretroviral treatment through the public sector treatment programme.
However, while South Africa is now the largest HIV treatment programme in the world, less that 60% of South Africans requiring treatment are covered - mostly because of major capacity and infrastructure constraints in the public health service.
South Africa is struggling with quadruple, inter-related burden of disease - HIV and Tuberculosis (TB); maternal and child mortality; non-communicable diseases; and violence, injuries and trauma. To deal effectively with these there is an urgent need to find creative and innovative partnerships between government, business, civil society and the international community.
Projects which address improving universal access to HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) prevention, treatment and care are supported, especially in vulnerable communities and vulnerable sectors of the economy. MBSA has been active in the HIV/AIDS workplace and community response for over twenty years, maintaining a high level of intervention and support in both workplace and external projects. Projects funded by MBSA's CSI programme are:
Ekukhanyeni Relief Project
(There have been queries about the embezzlement of millions of rands from "Ekukhanyeni Combined Schools Project" on the East Rand. The CSR department would like to reassure you that there is no connection to the MBSA CSI project called "Ekukhanyeni Early Childhood Development Project" and its crèches.)
The Mercedes-Benz Group of Companies in South Africa are engaged in a long-term partnership with this project, continuing the company's 4 year long commitment to combating the socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS in vulnerable communities in South Africa. The pioneering initiative supports the daily developmental and food security needs of a large number of youngsters less than 6 years in an impoverished community south of Johannesburg, many of whom are orphaned and abandoned, through a network of crèches, and empowering community members with a holistic programme that trains them in permaculture and early childhood development.
This initiative creates a sustainable model for development programmes and employment opportunities for disadvantaged communities, through Early Childhood Development and Food Security programmes. Benefits to the communities in Lawley Extensions 1 and 2 , Finetown, and Ennerdale south of Johannesburg are skills development and job creation, providing direct access to the economy. Previously unemployed members of these communities have since been trained and employed by the project as tutors, crèche principals, carers, gardeners etc.
We support the 'Action Kids' programme where gross (outside exercise activities) and fine (indoors activities) motor skills are developed for 145 pre-school children aged between 5-6 years, as well as 512 children attending 8 backroom crèches.
In addition, a food security programme has been introduced through educating unemployed volunteers in Permaculture Design technologies, Plant-Based Healthcare Management, and Functional Nutrition. The educational urban model is replicable and currently being prepared for rolling out in other vulnerable areas, with the support of the Presidency. A programme is also under way to establish gardens at the crèches currently not forming part of this network, to ensure sustainable food security.
For more info: http://www.ekukhanyeni.org/
Siyakhana Health Trust
This project is an international benchmark intervention in which the Mercedes-Benz Group of Companies in South Africa, the Eastern Cape-based Border-Kei Chamber of Business, the Eastern Cape Government, and the German Development Agency DEG, have established a private public partnership to provide participating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with HIV/AIDS awareness, training, counselling, testing, treatment and impact mitigation services.
The partnership furthermore delivers nurse and doctor training on treatment of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB), HIV counselling and testing services at SME's and training of SME managers, employees and peer educators.
Sixty-five SMEs are supported by the project reaching over 7 500 employees.
The project has a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the Eastern Cape Department of Health, through which capacity building interventions, to improve quality of care, are extended to 12 primary care clinics in the Buffalo City Metropole.
For more info: http://www.siyakhana.com
Trucking Wellness
The Mercedes-Benz Group of Companies in South Africa, have been a proud supporter of Trucking Wellness for many years. In 2009 this support was entrenched through the formation of a long-term partnership with the SA Business Coalition on HIV and Aids (SABCOHA) which aims to significantly scale up the work of Trucking Wellness in targeted areas.
The objective is to create a platform for encouraging a healthy lifestyle amongst commercial vehicle drivers, whose skills and experience are in short supply. The focus is on health, safety and wellness of drivers, managers and other employees, ultimately benefiting whole communities through improved health and economic activity.
The Trucking Wellness project focuses on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's), Tuberculosis (TB) and general health care at 21 roadside wellness centres along national routes and 15 mobile clinics.
These centres offer primary healthcare, health education condom distribution and access to HIV/AIDS and TB treatment.
For more info: http://www.truckingwellness.co.za/