De Beers, EOH invest millions to fight HIV/Aids

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call on the private sector to play a more constructive and prominent role to ensure successful collaboration in achieving the goals set out in the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV/Aids, TB and STIs, prompted De Beers Consolidated Mine and EOH Workplace Health to invest R1,8 million each towards providing health screening in the mining communities of Musina and Blouberg as a demonstration of how business is rallying government’s call to fast track community health screening.
Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi joined hundreds of community members at a health fair jointly organised by De Beers, EOH, and the South African Business Coalition on Health and Aids (Sabcoha) at Alldays on Friday where free health screening for blood pressure and other diseases were offered, including free cancer screening.
Tarryn Genis, Senior Corporate Affairs Communications Officer of the mine said in a media release that the initiative aims to make it easy and convenient for mining communities to prioritise their health and to understand the importance of early detection and behavioural change in managing key health risks.
A total of 10 000 community members received comprehensive health screening and 100 micro enterprises were trained in Sabcoha’s BizAids module that includes Business Management, Health Risk Management and Succession Planning.
De Beers Consolidated Mines CEO, Phillip Barton was quoted to have said “We continue to take the health of our communities, including our employees very serious. We are committed to reaching out and making a positive impact in the health of the communities which are hosting us.”
Reginald Setlhakgoe from EOH said “Health has been taken to the people, and community members received comprehensive health screening. However, more importantly, they acquired valuable information regarding their personal health, which is one of the most priceless gifts any person can ever receive because it empowers the individual to make informed decisions regarding their health.”

Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za