LBCH partners THASL to drive HIV & AIDS awareness

Thursday, 4 December 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Lanka Business Coalition of HIV and AIDS (LBCH) recently signed an MoU with The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) with the aim of promoting HIV&AIDS awareness among its members.

THASL President Hiran Cooray and LBCH President Nadija Tambiah shake hands after signing the MoU THASL President Hiran Cooray signed the MOU on behalf of THASL. As a result of the agreement, THASL will work with their regional associations in order to ensure that every one of their members has access to LBCH’s services. LBCH has been instrumental in conducting peer education and sensitisation programmes free of charge to its member associations, with the aim of preventing the spread of HIV&AIDS in the country. In a segmented awareness drive, LBCH plans on concentrating on the tourism sector in the year 2015. In recognition of the high risk of HIV&AIDS associated in the tourism sector, THASL has taken the leadership to work with LBCH in continuing to promote the safety and wellbeing of those involved in the industry. Recently, LBCH sent out a memo to mark World AIDS Day, calling on all corporates to come together and stop the spread of these diseases. The prevalence of HIV&AIDS in Sri Lanka is increasing in direct contrast to decreasing trends elsewhere in the world, the LBCH memo stated. LBCH is a nonprofit coalition of individual corporates who have partnered with organisations such as the National STD/AIDS Control Program of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor, ILO, UNAIDS, Chambers of Commerce, and Employers Federation to address the critical issue of HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention. Most leading corporates such in Sri Lanka are members of LBCH and subscribe to the vision of fighting HIV/AIDS through education and awareness.