SOUTH AFRICA: Public servants' HIV programmes lacking

JOHANNESBURG, 9 June 2006 (PlusNews) - Public servants are as much at risk of contracting HIV as the general public, yet are often overlooked in the fight against AIDS, the Public Service Commission said on Thursday.

According to its 'Fifth Annual State of the Public Service Report', AIDS committees had been established but there was a lack of programmes offering appropriate support.

The commission's deputy chairman, John Ernstzen, told the government agency, BuaNews, that numerous recommendations had been made by his department to help the state strengthen its workplace policies.

While no definite figures were available on the extent of HIV/AIDS in the public service, analysts estimated that by late last year it mirrored that of the private sector, which stands at between 10 percent and 12 percent.