The Business Response to HIV/AIDS: Impact and lesson learned

implementing HIV/AIDS policies and education programmes
in the workplace.
The primary aim of this programme is to promote HIV/AIDS
prevention and non-discrimination in the workplace of AIA
policyholders using financial incentives. Through an
accreditation scheme indexing the strength of policyholder's
workplace and community HIV/AIDS programmes, these
companies will be rewarded with a 5-10 percent credited
premium value group life insurance. There are three
percentage levels offered (5, 7 and 10 percent) which will
depend upon the accreditation scoring, assessed by the
TBCA regarding the following activities:
1. Policy on HIV/AIDS
2. HIV/AIDS staff training
3. HIV/AIDS staff information and education
4. Confidentiality
5. Collaboration from staff living with HIV/AIDS
6. Policies/procedures providing a supportive environment
for staff with HIV/AIDS
7. Assistance of staff living with HIV/AIDS
8. HIV/AIDS activities in the community
Accreditation is followed by two evaluation stages, once on
entry to the scheme and once before the yearly renewal of
the policy. In this way companies are given an incentive to
improve programmes, as assessed through measurable
progress in knowledge, behaviour and attitudes of the
workforce. The costs to AIA of this programme in 1999 were
approximately 3.3 million baht (circa. $US 85,000), which
includes the development costs.
In addition, AIA recognise that current and potential
policyholders will need to be provided with the technical
capacity to undertake HIV/AIDS programmes, and the
information to develop a clear understanding of the
resulting company and community benefits. AIA experience
has shown that the best method of achieving this is to
develop partnerships with existing government and nongovernmental organisations specialising in HIV/AIDS
responses.

3. Results and lessons
Given that the Evaluation and Accreditation Programme is
in its infancy, it is not possible to assess its effectiveness. It
is however an excellent example of how businesses can
begin to assess ways in which core business practices may
be affected by HIV/AIDS and then develop innovative
mechanisms to contain the economic and human impacts.
For AIA the potential benefits go beyond the positive public
perception gains of AIA as a socially responsible business
and leader in the response to HIV/AIDS. They include the
potential reductions in direct costs (insurance payouts) as a
result of healthier workforces amongst its policyholders. In
addition, it has the potential to attract new business as a
result of AIA demonstrating its commitment to its
customers, and the potential gains for policyholders
through obtaining credited premium value group
insurance.
In addition, the work AIA has undertaken over the years has
highlighted the importance of partnerships with NGOs and
governmental organisations in scaling-up responses and
providing the necessary expertise and understanding of
HIV/AIDS issues and networks. The TBCA in particular has
been important in assisting AIA in developing credible,
effective and innovative programmes.

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THE BUSINESS RESPONSE TO HIV/AIDS: Impact and lessons learned