SHELL STAFF REGISTERING FOR AN
HIV/AIDS AWARENESS SESSION
In 2000, the United Nations set its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for 2015. These eight targets include halving extreme poverty and ensuring environmental sustainability.
We continue to support the MDGs. Our biggest contribution by far is providing the modern energy needed for economic and social development. Getting electricity to the almost 1.6 billion people who currently live without it is particularly important. Through our operations, we generate local jobs, contracts and revenues for governments in half the world’s 50 poorest countries. We also help through our social investment programmes. These include combating malaria near our operations, and taking action on HIV/AIDS for employees, their families and communities (see below).
HIV/AIDS education in Nigeria
DR. BABATUNDE FAKUNLE
CORPORATE COMMUNITY HEALTH MANAGER,
THE SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF NIGERIA
“Just under three million people in Nigeria are infected with HIV/AIDS – nearly 4% of the population. Besides the tragic loss of life, AIDS also has a significant impact on our economic development in a country that already suffers from great poverty. Those infected with HIV are mainly of employment age. Development suffers as the number of orphans rise and the supply of people to fill key jobs decreases.
I am proud of the way Shell has contributed to the fight against the disease in the Niger Delta since 2001. Working in line with Shell’s company-wide HIV/AIDS programme, we are helping staff, contractors and the local community to prevent infection and manage its consequences, through initiatives delivered in co-operation with several NGOs.
Events encouraging HIV/AIDS prevention are held at Shell project sites to make it easier for contractors, staff and their families to come. Staff and contractors get access to counselling and free HIV-testing. In 2007, over 3,000 staff and their families were counselled and tested.
Over 90% of pregnant women (Shell staff, or their partners) who were treated in Shell hospitals in 2007 agreed to an HIV test. Those who tested positive were successfully treated to prevent the virus being passed from mother to child. We also pay for anti-retroviral treatment and care for employees and dependents living with HIV/AIDS.
In 2007, we spent $1.5 million on HIV/AIDS testing and counselling in rural communities in the Delta and trained 250 local people to educate their neighbours about the disease. This programme serves as the entry point for upgrading the health care systems and infrastructure in the region. I believe this is the right thing to do.”
25
