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Published in February 2008 |
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NAMIBIA |
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Diamond Mine treasures Lives
The Oranjemund Diamond Mine (Namdeb) is located in the far south of Namibia in the Namib dessert, near the border with South Africa. The area has diamonds and little else. Over 3,000 workers have relocated in order to work the mine, leaving their home villages and sometimes their families behind. Away from their roots, the workers are more susceptible to contracting HIV.
The mine is owned by the government of Namibia and De Beers. With funding from the Global Fund, a health project focusing on HIV and AIDS is available to mine employees and the surrounding community - the first of its kind within the business sector and the state. A team of health workers with the Oranjemund Health Education Project target staff in the workplace where it is convenient for them to take time out to consider their health. They also run a mobile clinic in the nearby village, as employees may not feel comfortable being tested in front of their colleagues, despite a policy of non-discrimination. This wider service is available to everyone in the mining community.
The employee wellness program aims to save the lives by minimizing the impact of HIV and AIDS on Namdeb by offering free counseling and testing, as well as supplying condoms to prevent the spread of AIDS and drugs so people living with AIDS do not have to abandon their livelihood. AIDS drugs are also available for employees' partners. This aspect of the program is called positive living and is one way workers can benefit from the commitment and support of their managers.
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