OGIER Partners with Government to Observe World AIDS Day

From left to right: Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Mrs. Ritzia Turnbull-Smith presents the Chief Executive Officer of OGIER, Mrs. Caroline Dubois, with a copy of the “HIV in the Workplace Policy Guidelines”. They are observed by the Director of the Department of Human Resources, Mr. David Archer

Mrs. Caroline Dubois, Chief Executive Officer of OGIER stated that the company, as part of its commitment to protect the health and well-being of their employees, implemented a new initiative entitled “Health Talk”, designed to educate and inform their staff on pertinent health issues. 

During the opening ceremony for the HIV in the Workplace seminar, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Mrs. Ritzia Turnbull-Smith, along with the Director of the Department of Human Resources, Mr. David Archer, commended OGIER for their valiant efforts as the first private sector company in the Territory to partner with the Government to sensitize and educate their staff on HIV Awareness.

Mrs. Turnbull-Smith stated that it was her desire to see other private sector businesses in the British Virgin Islands follow OGIER’s example and added that “the Ministry stands ready to assist OGIER and any other business in our community that wish to educate their employees about HIV, and hopefully, to adapt “HIV in the Workplace Policy Guidelines”.

In his remarks, Mr. Archer applauded OGIER and encouraged the management and staff to remain sensitized about HIV in order to prevent discrimination against persons living with HIV.  He stated that education on the prevention of HIV was vital and he was pleased to see that OGIER had taken steps to protect the health and well-being of their staff with the introduction of the health sessions.

The National AIDS Program will continue to raise awareness on HIV with a series of events throughout December and a calendar of events can be obtained from the reception desk of the Central Administration Building.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development endeavours to provide leadership which promotes health, social wellness and a safe environment as positive resources for maintaining healthy lifestyles. Among other things, the Ministry is responsible for safeguarding the health and social development of the Territory. ~~Adz:Right~~