ILO seeks to test 5M workers for HIV amid concerns over access to treatment

MANILA, Philippines — The United Nations’ International Labor Organization has launched a drive to have five million workers undergo voluntary HIV counseling and testing by 2015 amid concerns that as many as 7 million people currently eligible for treatment are not accessing it.

The initiative, supported by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, or UNAIDS, aims to “ensure that people who test positive are referred to HIV services for care and support, and treatment if needed,” a UN Information Center press statement said Friday.

“We want to use the mobilizing power of the ILO to encourage 5 million working women and men to undertake voluntary HIV testing by 2015,” the statement quoted ILO director general, Guy Ryder, as saying as he called on ministries of labor, employers’ and workers’ organizations to join forces and turn this target into reality.

While it noted that “the rapid expansion of antiretroviral therapy in recent years has allowed 8 million people living with HIV to access treatment – enabling them to live longer, healthier and more productive lives and remain part of the workforce,” UNAIDS estimated that “7 million people currently eligible for treatment are not accessing it.”

“Furthermore, it is estimated that around 40 percent of people living with HIV globally, do not know their status, thus preventing them from accessing treatment,” with the figure higher than 50 percent in some countries, it added.

“If workplaces embrace this new initiative it could signify one of the most important advances we’ve seen in expanding access to HIV testing within a healthy, enabling environment and linking to on-going support including treatment,” said Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS executive director. –InterAksyon.com