Generating a private sector response to the epidemic

Despite the growing costs of the HIV epidemic to the private sector, a coordinated response has been slow to evolve. While the business sector has the potential to play a key role in prevention, care and support activities, these interventions remain underdeveloped. Thus far, business priorities have remained largely defensive, with a focus on safeguarding immediate commercial needs - such as protecting the health of employees to minimize the economic consequences of the disease.

On the one hand, business is averse to risk, and HIV/AIDS can be viewed as a liability - one that threatens development and discourages much needed investment into the region. Alternatively, well-informed strategies to generate wider corporate action around the epidemic provide equally substantial opportunities. In the context of regional economic development, addressing HIV makes good business sense. Initiatives that explicitly engage these issues become necessary investments with returns that foster competitive advantage, growth and expanded economic opportunities.

RADAR is working with the School of Economic and Business Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand to explore potential intervention strategies for the private sector to address the HIV epidemic. A joint team has been commissioned by the Canadian Alliance for Business in South Africa to compile a report to better understand the issues and opportunities, with the intent of operationalizing a private sector reponse to HIV/AIDS.

Pronyk PM, Kim JC, Bates B. HIV/AIDS and Business in South Africa: Interventions, opportunities and the private sector response to the epidemic. Report to the Canadian Alliance for Business in South Africa. March 2002. (235kb)