Large corporate AIDS programme in final phase

Barclays Bank will complete its national workplace HIV/AIDS rollout programme in Kenya this month. The final phase of what is believed to be the largest private sector initiative of its kind will target the bank's business divisions in Coast Province and parts of Eastern Kenya. A local newspaper, The Nation, quoted the Barclays health and welfare officer, Joseph Wafula, as saying: "We will encourage employees to know their HIV status, and guarantee them free treatment if they are infected, to ensure they remain competitive and productive." The cost is estimated at more than US $1 million a year and will benefit 9,000 staff members and at least five of their dependants.