DPP launches HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy

Oct 17, 2018

Speaking at the launch of the policy on Tuesday, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Justice Mike Chibita said the policy will create a stigma free, non-discriminatory, caring and supportive working environment propelled by the desire to have a healthy and productive workforce.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) has launched an HIV/AIDS prevention and care workplace policy as a response to the Government's call to protect the health of its workforce.

Speaking at the launch of the policy on Tuesday, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Justice Mike Chibita said the policy will create a stigma free, non-discriminatory, caring and supportive working environment propelled by the desire to have a healthy and productive workforce.

He also said the policy will promote healthy living to enhance productivity of the employees.

"Despite several interventions, the sickness is still with us. I therefore implore my staff to try to be faithful or use condom and those already infected to take proper medication because currently HIV/AIDS is just like any other disease," Chibita advised.

He urged the staffs to study the 20-paged-book, stating that it gives guidelines on HIV/AIDS prevention.

"My office is committed to maintain a safe and healthy working environment for all staff by ensuring that protective measures are adopted to protect its staff from HIV/AIDS," Chibita noted.

The assistant DPP, Amos Ngolobe said they decided to come up with the policy because HIV/AIDS is one of the cross cutting issues which has to be dealt with as it directly affects human resource.

"Let all our staff test and know their status. There is no reason why someone can fear to test," he said.

The State Attorney, Prossy Ayebare who headed the team which came up with the policy said their aim is to secure medical insurance for all the staff to reduce stigma in seeking medical attention on time.

"We also hope that the presidential directive of 0.02% of the total release funds is availed to us," Ayebare said.

Ayebare revealed that the ODPP's HIV training manual on rights based approach would be used in the criminal justice system in the near future.

She commended the Pre- Global Fund which sponsored the project.

Bach ground

Uganda has witnessed a resurgence of the HIV to a prevalence of 7.3% among the adult population.

Between 2007 and 2013, the estimated number of PLHIV increased from 1.2 million people to 1.6 million.

It is projected that that annual new infections will grow from 340,000 in 2015 resulting in cumulative 2.8 new infections by 2025.


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