Good business to tackle HIV/AIDS

An oil company in Nigeria has urged African businesses to tackle HIV/AIDS by stepping up their existing education programmes. Chevron Texaco managing director, Jay Pryor, said while addressing a health session at the country's recent Leon H Sullivan Summit, that the pandemic was the greatest challenge ever faced by business in Africa. "HIV/AIDS threatens the health, stability and sustainability of our work force, and increases the cost of doing business... And those dying are our colleagues and friends." He said businesses should take HIV/AIDS education "as a top priority", with lessons being delivered in a convincing manner by organisation leaders. "The survival of business depends on our ability to control HIV/AIDS within the work place. As an individual I will do something about it. I would like to see others make that same commitment," Pryor added.