Letters & Speeches
Ambassador Blake's Remarks at the ILO/USDOL – HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Programme Dissemination Workshop
Honorable Minister of the Ministry of Labor Relations and Manpower, the Director of International Labor Organization, the Director of UNAIDS and other invitees, it is my pleasure to be here to congratulate the International Labor Organization and members of the Ministry of Labor Relations and Manpower and the Ministry of Health on the successful completion of the ILO, US Department of Labor HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Programme.
Since 2005, through collaboration with various chambers of commerce and trade unions, and with funding from the U.S Department of Labor, many in this room have worked hard to devise this plan. I was very pleased to hear from Dr. Samarakoon that knowledge on employment related discrimination against people living with HIV has improved to a remarkable level. In addition a larger number of those surveyed reported using condoms and a majority of workers reported accepting and supportive attitudes towards HIV positive co-workers and workers outside their workplace. These are encouraging results in a country that thus far has been able to maintain low prevalence of HIV infection.
While Sri Lanka has the good fortune to be a country with a low rate of HIV infection, this is no cause for complacency regarding the disease. The existence of high risk behaviors that can facilitate HIV transmission, coupled with other socio-economic, political and cultural factors that can fuel the epidemic, means that the country remains vulnerable for the rate of HIV/AIDS to grow at a much faster rate.
Fortunately, the Government of Sri Lanka takes the issue of HIV/AIDS seriously, and gives the issue high priority, while acknowledging there is insufficient resources and capacity to provide all the necessary testing facilities, service delivery, and public education required to ensure that the disease never catches on here as it has elsewhere around the world.
President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to combat global HIV/AIDS, launched in 2003, remains the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease in human history. In July 2008 the President signed a new law dramatically increasing America’s financial commitment to this fight – authorizing up to $48 billion to combat global HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria over the next five years.
This legislation will support:
- Treatment for at least 3 million people;
- Prevention of 12 million new infections; and
- Care for 12 million people, including 5 million orphans and vulnerable children.
But there is much more that can and should be done. One of the most significant challenges in combating the disease remains society’s stigma and lack of awareness towards those who are HIV-positive. Such phobias are unjustified, and must be eliminated by education and open discussion. People should understand that an HIV/AIDS patient needs – and deserves – the same medical attention and family support that she or he would receive if inflicted with any other serious illness. Raising awareness of HIV/AIDS among both the at-risk and general populations, as this program has done, will reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with the disease.
An HIV/AIDS workplace education program is an essential element in an overall HIV/AIDS prevention and education strategy in Sri Lanka. The workplace is a natural and suitable location to educate people. Information can be provided in an informed, business-like way that can overcome workers' inhibitions about discussing what is often viewed as a sensitive or embarrassing issue. Workplace programs also have an educational multiplier effect. People who learn about HIV/AIDS at work often pass on this information to their families and communities. By educating the people of Sri Lanka, hopefully we can achieve the following results:
- Less workplace discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS;
- Decreased high-risk behavior;
- Fewer adverse consequences of HIV/AIDS on social, labor, and economic development; and
- Overall prevention of HIV/AIDS in the workplace.
The work of ILO and the Ministry of Labor Relations and Manpower discussed here today has made important strides in ensuring that the stigmas against those living with HIV/AIDS are overcome and that discrimination is eliminated. I hope that in the near future that no one will fire an individual because she or he is HIV-positive; that no individual will be denied employment because they have AIDS; and that medical personnel will never again refuse to treat a patient who happens to have AIDS.
In conclusion, let us all remember that unlike many dread diseases, AIDS is preventable. Sri Lanka is currently fortunate that the spread of the disease remains low. Nevertheless, we must act fast and mobilize all available resources to ensure that the rate of infection remains low or even declines. The public and private sectors, donors, the UN, NGOs and communities all have a key role to play in this endeavor. If we work together, I have no doubt that we can win the battle against HIV/AIDS in Sri Lanka.
Let me again thank you and congratulate you on this initiative. My Embassy colleagues and I stand ready to help in any way we can to advance all worthy HIV/AIDS efforts. Good luck and continued success!