The International Labour Organization (ILO) has announced that the initial phase of its VCT@WORK initiative has reached close to 5 million workers with face-to-face education on the benefits of HIV testing. During the outreach, which took place between July 2013 and December 2015, almost 3 million workers were tested for HIV, and more than 85 000 people who tested positive for HIV were referred to services for treatment. The ILO, UNAIDS and partners will present the results of the initiative at the 21st International AIDS Conference, taking place from 18 to 22 July in Durban, South Africa.
“For the first time, we have results that clearly demonstrate the impact of a workplace response to HIV. When workers have timely knowledge of their HIV status, they can take the right treatment and continue to be healthy and productive members of the workforce.”
Guy Ryder Director-General of the International Labour Organization
“This is the kind of innovation needed to reach people with HIV services in their everyday lives. This is the Fast-Track response in action—normalizing testing and ensuring more people know their HIV status and are linked with local care and support.”
Michel Sidibé Executive Director, UNAIDS
