Miner Anglo American gives expensive anti-retroviral drugs to workers. ‘The benefits outweigh the cost and we've got data to prove it.' ...Read the full article
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Vic Murai from Canada writes: Amid the daily barrage of 'bad news' stories in the press, it sure is refreshing and enjoyable to read something like this. We hear daily of the terrible 'corporate citizens' amongst the world of business yet occasionally an aberration is noticed. Anglo American PLC should be congratulated for their concern and empathy shown toward their most valuable resource, the workers. Now, if we could only have other companies step up to the plate and perform accordingly.
- Posted 05/08/06 at 12:52 PM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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C HOLLINGWORTH from Canada writes: I could be cynical and say, 'Just look at these shameless corporations! Keeping people alive simply for the purpose of exploiting them until they die prematurely!', but I won't. First of all, businesses exist to make money, not provide people with jobs. Second, people are considered 'resources' in organizations - not to be cynical here - and if the company can improve upon its resources to increase productivity, it will. The great thing here is that everybody wins. At least those infected have steady jobs, instilling them with pride, as being both sick and unemployed would be a terrible blow to anyone already down on their luck. Lastly, as I understand it, HIV is far, far more prevalent per-capita in Africa than North America, for example, and companies need people to run their operations. In turn, they therefore need to deal with this reality, so I see nothing unethical or immoral with corporations providing HIV infected staff with medicine to keep them alive and working. However, if the drugs weren't free to employees, then I might have a problem with that. Very forward thinking here by this mining company.
- Posted 08/08/06 at 10:08 AM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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A E Hawthorne from Ottawa, Canada writes: Having read some articles which claimed HIV/AIDS antivirals produced in India cost less than $140 US per patient per year, not month, I am startled to learn that it is costing $150/month for some African patients. Another way to beat AIDS is to obtain the most economical and efficient drugs from countries already producing them. This idea works in both the developing and the developed worlds. In addition to advocates, the AIDS battle also needs an overall financial strategy to ensure all dollars are used wisely. Perhaps, with prudent purchases, all African miners could be treated, for example.
- Posted 15/08/06 at 8:46 AM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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