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Diageo's HIV positive staff to get free anti-retroviral drugs

category cork | miscellaneous | news report author Wednesday September 24, 2003 14:33author by joseph

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3131944.stm

Just came across this. Criticize the corporation all you wish ( they have many bad points ) but they deserve credit for this initiative. Hopefully this will inspire more companies.
But, of course, I'm sure someone will have something negative to say about this story.

also...
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/23/1064082995527.html

Comments (2 of 2)

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Which Irish Health Board has responsiblity for the research and development and allocation of RV?
author by macpublication date Wed Sep 24, 2003 16:44author address author phone

It has been _rumoured_ that anti-Retroviral drugs were available oh back in the early 90s, but untried, is it rumour?
Does anyone know about this?
If infected could the lucky soul get complete immune system anti-retro-viral treatment within 72 hours?
hmmmm.

We need a HIV debate.
We need a AIDS debate.

this is much more interesting than waste charges
author by fuinseogpublication date Thu Sep 25, 2003 22:37author address author phone

Thanks for the link. The article includes the following:

"Diageo is not the first company to tackle the disease by providing drug treatment to staff. South Africa's mining giant AngloGold began providing anti-retroviral drugs to HIV-positive employees last year. AngloGold estimates that up to 30% of its 40,000 workforce is infected with the virus. A study by the company suggested that treatment would add between $4 and $6 - or up to 2% - to the cost of producing an ounce of gold. But if the disease was not treated, the cost of gold would rise by $9 per ounce, it estimated."

The company is telling its workers that "we've looked into it carefully and we have decided you're worth more alive than dead". A story for some meditation. Such is the world we have made.

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/61268

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