Wellness and HIV/Aids

One of the challenges facing South Africa is an unusually high disease burden among its population. The welfare and well-being of employees, as fundamentally important stakeholders, is a priority for the AECI Group. All permanent employees domiciled in South Africa are encouraged to join the AECI Medical Aid Society (“Society”). This Society offers an option for comprehensive cover as well as a more affordable option, the latter being fully subsidised for lower income earners.

In line with the Group’s proactive and holistic approach to healthcare, a Wellness Steering Committee is in place. It is representative of management, employees and trade unions and has the responsibility of driving and monitoring wellness initiatives and related strategies across the Group. The aim is to move from an illness focus to one of general well-being, acknowledging that overall good health involves a multitude of facets, including lifestyle elements. Employee assistance programmes are in place and are accessible to the majority of the Group’s workforce. These programmes provide counselling on a variety of issues ranging from financial guidance to help with post-traumatic stress.

To implement the Group’s wellness programme, peer educators have been trained to become Champions of Wellness. These Champions are employees who volunteer to assist their colleagues in understanding, preventing and managing HIV/Aids and other chronic diseases. Advice on healthy lifestyles is another area of focus. Emphasis is also placed on helping needy people in the communities in which the Group operates.

Once fully trained as Champions of Wellness, volunteers can continue their training to become Champions of Life. At this advanced stage, trainees are taught to set objectives, deal with sensitive issues and sustain a meaningful quality of life (“lead by example”). In the next phases of the initiative, namely Champions of Change and Champion Buddies, volunteers learn how to act as agents to facilitate change in the way their colleagues and community members view HIV/Aids.

During 2012 a new course was introduced into the wellness programme, covering training on policies and procedures relating to the management of chronically ill employees. A conference and planning workshop was held for the Champions and it was most pleasing that two key unions representing AECI employees became constructively involved.