The regions with the highest prevalence rates are Erongo, with 27 per cent, and the northern regions of Oshana and Ohangwena, with 25 per cent.

These HIV hot spots were visited by members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social and Community Development as well as the National Council Standing Committee on Gender, Youth and Information.

The weeklong mission was led by Hansina Christians, Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee.

When the delegation met with Erongo Governor Samuel Nuuyoma and representatives of regional and municipal authorities, Christians said the disease is eroding the country's post-independence progress.

"I fear that if we don't redouble our efforts to address the disease, we risk compromising the freedom we fought for during our long struggle against colonialism and minority rule.

"This means that by failing to adequately respond to this crisis, we are compromising social and economic development and jeopardising the future of our country."

The draft of Namibia's first National Aids Policy, currently revised by the National Multisectoral Aids Co-ordination Committee (NAMACOC), as well as the Third Medium-Term Plan (MTP 3) state the necessity for co-operation between Government and the private sector to curb the spread and consequences of the pandemic.

Therefore the effectiveness of workplace policies on HIV-AIDS were closely scrutinised by the delegation.

Companies in the Ohlthaver and List group were visited in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay to discuss the shortcomings and successes of its workplace HIV policy with managers and peer educators.

HIV-AIDS has a disproportionate impact on women, according to Christians, and workplace policies were analysed to measure their impact on the most vulnerable groups, including children.

The findings of the mission will lead to a more informed debate in Parliament so that all aspects can be considered before the National AIDS Policy is finalised, Christians explained.

The information will also support the development of new legislation and existing legislative initiatives, she said.

The National Council Workplace HIV-AIDS Programme is based on six main initiatives for which a monitoring mechanism will be developed, according to MP Samuel Kaxuxuena.

It entails the development of a workplace policy, commitment from managers, providing education and training on prevention, treatment, support and care, implementing fair employment practices in a non-discriminating working environment and encouraging community participation.

The mission was sponsored by the National Democratic Institute and the SADC Parliamentary Forum through its pilot programme on Governance and HIV-AIDS.

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