SCB workplace scheme achieves its objective

Standard Chartered Bank concluded its educational workplace programme "Living with HIV/AIDS" with a final group of staff on September 18, thus achieving its target of 100 per cent staff awareness of HIV/AIDS. Worldwide, the group programme has covered 55 per cent of 260,000 staff including the Board of Directors, and is set to achieve its target of educating 100 per cent staff worldwide by World Aids Day on December 1, 2003.

Locally, the programme was first launched in April and was facilitated by the bank's own staff who volunteered to be trained as the Bank's HIV Champion. The sessions were further enriched with various representatives from the Disease Control Division and Community Health Nursing Services under the Ministry of Health who supported the programme with their invaluable expertise and knowledge.

The one-day programme achieved its objectives of educating the staff on the nature of AIDS. They also developed important characteristical traits such as learning to be non-discriminatory, tolerant and empathic to anyone living with HIV/AIDS. At the end of each session, staff were presented with the AIDS Red Ribbon pin to be worn as a reminder of their efforts to educate the public on HIV/AIDS.

Internationally, the global bank's programme has caught the attention of NGOS in Singapore, (Africa) Zambia, UK and India who are now looking at developing similar programmes in their countries. The programme has also been presented to the UN Global Compact Policy Dialogue on HIV/AIDS in Geneva. The HIV programme has also been recognised by the Global Business Coalition on AIDS and the Asian Business coalition in Thailand and Malaysia in various press functions.

Hajah Hasnah Hj Azri, Head of Human Resources and Corporate Affairs, Standard Chartered Bank commented, "We have been overwhelmed by the gracious support received from the Ministry of Health towards the 'Living With HIV/AIDS' programme. Standard Chartered Bank had achieved its objective and it was certainly a privilege to collaborate with the Brunei Darussalam National AIDS Council and the Ministry of Health and be a part of a timely and relevant programme that will transcend to all levels in our community."

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin