SCB conducts HIV awareness talk to BAG Networks staff

TO CLOSE the gap on its target of promoting HIV awareness to 500 people in the country, Standard Chartered Bank's (SCB) HIV "champions" yesterday conducted an HIV awareness and education session to staff of BAG Networks.

As part of their ongoing commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative to educate one million people on HIV/Aids by 2010, SCB Brunei aims to reach out to 500 people this year. To date, the bank has reached 400 people in the country with a few more sessions lined up this month, optimistic that it will reach the 500 mark.

The bank has recently conducted two HIV awareness sessions externally for partners of the bank, including the Empire Hotel and Country Club.

Head of Corporate Affairs at SCB Jennifer Kang said: "Next year, looking at how we go about our training, we might want to up that number, but we will definitely have a goal every year of the number of people we want to reach out."

Three years ago, SCB collaborated with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Brunei Darussalam Aids Council (BDAC) to educate more than 1000 young adult students, 350 community nurses as well as 100 per cent of its staff.

The session yesterday at the BAG Networks office saw SCB's champions Lim Chee Boon, Ayunadirah Rosli, Tracy Chen and Rebecca Lim covering facts about HIV and Aids and ways of protecting oneself from the diseases.

"The fact that there is no cure for HIV/Aids makes prevention the only key," said Kang. "(Through education), the more we spread the word, people will become more aware of ways they can protect themselves by utilising their options."

Staff from BAG Networks had the opportunity to engage in interesting and thought provoking activities which encouraged individuals to ask questions and help break down cultural and communication barriers.

Head of Corporate Services at BAG Networks Pg Izam Ryan PLKDR Pg Bahrain commented that it was a "good effort from the SCB champions in enhancing awareness on HIV."

"It was good as there was a good mix of materials, interactive roleplay and asking questions activities," he said.

"They did a very good job and it's evident from the session that some people are still not aware of certain issues relating to HIV/Aids."

According to SCB, HIV education and awareness is one of the bank's main corporate social responsibility themes and through such awareness and education programmes, the number of new infections has fallen and some positive impact have been made on the percentage of people living with HIV. However, Aids is among the leading causes of death globally and remains the primary cause of death in Africa. (JQR1)The Brunei Times