The project required the buy in of both FMCSA management and employees. It was necessary for both parties to understand that HIV/AIDS is rapidly becoming an issue of great concern for the country, industry and indeed FMCSA as an organisation. The programme also required dedicated and passionate individuals who carry the programme forward through setting goals and objectives as well as implementing them in an effective manner. As such, the formation of the HIV/AIDS steering Committee was of essence.
The committee had representation from the trade union, employees, management, executives as well as personnel from the organisation's medical centre. This way the organisation ensures that the activities and messages around the Wellness programme would be spread through all sectors of the organisation as well ensure that it continued to operate effectively through this balanced representation. The representation of this committee also ensured effective cascading of information on the subject in the organisation.
This project has immensely improved human capacity. The term human capacity refers to an individual's ability to perform tasks which are necessary to survive and prosper. Human capacity in this case would mean developing the will, skills, capabilities and systems to enable to respond effectively to HIV/Aids. The amount of HIV/Aids education that the programme has imparted to employees, their families and surrounding communities has created a lot of knowledge and a paradigm shift.
The programme has promoted the need for people to know their status, practise safe sex and most importantly educated them on issues surrounding stigma. The disease has been demystified by the programme as it has gone to great length to try and illustrate that testing positive does not mean the end of the world given the medical interventions available to HIV positive people today. It has also encouraged people to be supportive of colleagues, friends, relatives and other people who are HIV positive.
The programme technically involves all FMCSA employees. The employees are often required to participate in AIDS Days as well as to undergo voluntary testing and counselling.
