By Jariatu S. Bangura
African Global Logistics (AGL) Sierra Leone joined the global community in commemorating World AIDS Day under the theme “Ending Inequalities. Ending AIDS.
AGL reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of its employees through initiatives designed to raise awareness and combat the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.
World AIDS Day serves as a powerful reminder that the fight against HIV/AIDS is far from over, but with collective action and commitment, a world free of AIDS is within reach.
Recognizing the importance of education in reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS, AGL organized a series of awareness annual sessions for its employees. Those sessions provided essential information about HIV transmission, prevention, and treatment. Participants were encouraged to engage openly, fostering an environment where employees could ask questions, share concerns, and learn about available resources.
To empower employees with knowledge about their health status, AGL offered free, confidential HIV testing and counseling during the event. Medical professionals were on-site to provide support, ensuring that individuals who participated felt safe and cared for.
By promoting early detection and treatment, AGL highlighted the importance of proactive health management.
Speaking at the event, an AGL Director of Health, Safety and Environment Patrick Sannoh stated, “At AGL, we believe that addressing HIV/AIDS is not just a health issue; it’s a matter of workplace safety and human dignity.
By educating our employees and creating a supportive environment, we aim to contribute to the global fight against HIV/AIDS while ensuring the well-being of our team.”
He said workers are the strength of any organization therefore they want to make sure that their staff are safe from any health challenges and their well-being is key to the organization.
He said they are collaborating with health workers and also called upon them to carry out the process and help sensitize their workers about the dangers of the virus and also provide counseling once detected from any of them.
He said process is an annual event that they carry out and it is mandatory for all staff to know their health status.
Director Sannoh stated that AGL emphasized the implementation of workplace safety measures to minimize risks associated with HIV transmission.
Through its initiatives, AGL Sierra Leone demonstrated that businesses have a vital role in addressing public health challenges. By fostering awareness, providing access to preventative tools, and creating an inclusive workplace, AGL continues to prioritize the safety and health of its staff, contributing to a healthier and more equitable society.
One of the Health workers, Elizabeth Sia Mafinda said they were contacted by AGL to provide a health talk with their workers about AIDS and its dangers within the society once it is not treated on time.
She said they will run free test with the consent of workers and their confidentiality will be kept away from the organization once they noticed any contact with the virus from the organization.
She advised that workers comply with the process especially the male counterpart as most of them shy away from going to the hospital for testing even when their wives visit the hospital during pregnancy stages and failed to show up when called upon by the hospitals. “It is good to know your health status, don’t wait until it get to the third or fourth stage, by then you will not survive it. Make it a priority to always visit the hospital centers for testing and to also know you are safe” she urged.
