Public health
Sustainability website / HIV and AIDS / Public health
Tuberculosis (TB)
In 2007, a detailed TB protocol was developed to support Xstrata’s South African HIV and AIDS programmes. TB is a major cause of death amongst HIV-positive sub-Saharan African communities and communities often face a double pandemic of HIV and TB. In 2007, TB testing was introduced as part of annual medical examinations. In 2008, all employees and contractors that test positive for HIV will be provided with prophylactic treatment to prevent contraction of TB. Testing will be expanded to ensure that every employee and contractor receives an annual risk assessment and two chest X-rays per annum, including treatment as appropriate.
Malaria
Malaria is the key health risk facing Xstrata Nickel’s Kabanga project in Tanzania (a joint venture with Barrick). Workplace initiatives include providing long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed nets at the project site, regular insecticide spraying, elimination of mosquito breeding habitats, use of personal protective measures such as repellent and malaria prevention education and screening for employees at the medical clinic. Community health initiatives are also under way to fight malaria in the broader community (see case study).