Officially launched in June 2003 by the NCCI and the UNAIDS to mobilize the private sector on HIV/AIDS and encourage the up scaling of workplace programs. NABCOA was founded on the prime principle of coordinating and implementing programs and strategies that would maximize the impact of businesses involvement in the struggle against HIV/AIDS; both in the workplace and in the larger community.

 

Mission

To be the lead agency facilitating best practice HIV/AIDS workplace programs within corporate enterprises in Namibia.

 

Vision

To establish a strong basis for sustainable HIV/AIDS treatment through a network of private/public partnerships, facilitating access to primary health care and treatment for more people in Namibia.

 

 

What We Do

Advocacy

 

• Disseminating comprehensive information to activists, decision-makers and the public through the quarterly bulletin AIDSBRIEF. The bulletin reports on current events, trends, critical issues, policy and business developments, and current research and progress towards the national response. 
• Organizing brainstorming breakfast/lunch meetings for companies to present innovative approaches in dealing with HIV and AIDS in the workplace. These are not regular events – approximately seven held over the last year. They typically happen to coincide with topic of note, e.g. a sectorspecific breakfast, GBC (Global Business Coalition) breakfast to target the leadership of Namibia in July 2006. These attract between 85-95 attendees.
• Quarterly Exchange Forums. NABCOA reaches out to members and nonmembers through Quarterly Exchange Forums where members co-chair the meetings and present case studies of their programmes and pre-determined topics of relevance through high-level meetings on HIV/AIDS. These are typically attended by 25-30 people
• High risk industries. NABCOA prioritizes advocacy work in industries with large numbers of workers (brewing, mining, fishing and construction) and where workers’ risk of contracting HIV/AIDS is increased due to long periods away from their families (mining and transport)
• Community outreach. NABCOA gets involved in outreach to the community by taking a leading role in awareness campaigns, e.g. on World’s AIDS Day.

Supporting Workplace Programmes
 

• Conducting training seminars based on needs identified during the Quarterly Exchange Forums. Last year twelve training sessions were held, a number which is currently being increased through a programme with the Global Fund and GTZ (the German technical cooperation agency). Usually attended by 18-23 companies. Topics included affordable healthcare, workplace programmes, Peer Education Training; Policy development, M&E, ARV treatment.
• Service Provision. Company specific events: two companies have approached NABCOA to arrange events, e.g. NIP. NABCOA arranges everything from logistics to training and advertising. This is a profit-making service which some members are prepared to pay for.

 

Cost-Benefit Analysis: NABCOA involves companies in scaling up HIV/AIDS Workplace Programme (WPP) activities through cost-benefit analysis (CBA) using software which is a component of the ACCA Toolbox offered to countries.

Undertaking relevant research projects, such as in-depth research on the current state of medical aid insurance provisions in Namibia and a pilot study for future planning on appropriate HIV/AIDS policy development for the SME sector. Rapid assessments on WPP of companies were undertaken in November 2006. In cooperation with PriceWaterhouseCoopers a study [The Boardroom Speaks] was undertaken amongst 48 decision makers (MD’s and CEO’s) during October/November 2007 and results were shared at a breakfast meeting as part of WAD 2007 with Special Guest of Honour Prime Minister Nahas Angula. During 2008 a major Baseline Study is to be embarked upon to look at the impact of HIV/AIDS on business.

Prevalence Surveys: Introduced in 2007, NABCOA offers this service after entering into a partnership with PharmAccess Namibia AND the Namibia Institute on Pathology.This initiative is currently subsidized and although NABCOA does not usually offer activities for free, this particular service will be fully charged to the companies by this partnership. This is part of the philosophy of NABCOA to require commitment from companies through payment.