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SOUTH AFRICA: BMW joins private sector battle against AIDS

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 22 April (PLUSNEWS) - South African employees of the German car manufacturer, BMW, as well as the general public, will benefit from an HIV/AIDS clinic opened by the company on Thursday in the capital, Pretoria.

The facility has the capacity to serve between 4,000 and 5,000 patients a month and is conveniently situated near a township where at least 17 percent of BMW's 3,000 employees live. It will also offer AIDS education and counselling.

Local group managing director Wolfgang Stadler told the German news agency, DPA: "In this country one can't expect government to do everything alone. Many private initiatives bring the topic to the fore."

An estimated 5.3 million South Africans are living with HIV/AIDS, putting companies under increasing pressure to help keep workers free from HIV infection and provide treatment for those living with the virus.

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