Fight Against HIV/AIDS at the Workplace

With HIV/AIDS a major concern across much of the African continent, AES is taking action to deal with this pressing public health issue. AES SONEL, which serves as the electric company for all of Cameroon, launched an HIV/AIDS workplace education program in 2001.

The program has trained a dozen nurses dedicated to HIV/AIDS treatment, as well as over 100 AES SONEL employees who carry the program forward.

This program seeks to fully treat every AES SONEL employee living with HIV/AIDS, as well as to assist their families. It provides access to periodic checkups, treatment with antiretroviral medications, treatment of related infections, help with hospital bills, and advocacy and consultation to ensure adequate ongoing treatment—all the while preserving the confidentiality of all medical records. Awareness campaigns are aimed at all AES personnel, who also are encouraged to take advantage of free, confidential HIV/AIDS screening tests. AES SONEL also sponsors an HIV/AIDS Week, a national campaign held each year in December.