Study on AIDS in public service

A STUDY on the impact of HIV-AIDS in the public service was launched yesterday.

It is expected to determine the constraints placed on the delivery of public services as a result of absenteeism, family-related leave and deaths resulting from HIV-AIDS. The study will also investigate how the pandemic contributes to loss of productivity and morale within offices, ministries and agencies.It is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United States International Agency for Development (USAID) to the tune of N$1,4 million.On the economic front, the study will examine the impact of the pandemic on Government spending on medical aid, productive hours lost and the cost of early retirement.It will also assess the level of preparedness in the public sector to deal with resulting challenges.Speaking at the launch, United Nations Resident Co-ordinator Simon Nhongo said concrete evidence was essential in order to design effective and sustainable development and social programmes on the impact of HIV-AIDS.”The best way to know about the pandemic is to know about all its various aspects,” he said.He added that the loss of skills and experience as a result of AIDS deaths was putting a strain on the labour market.The study will also investigate how the pandemic contributes to loss of productivity and morale within offices, ministries and agencies.It is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United States International Agency for Development (USAID) to the tune of N$1,4 million.On the economic front, the study will examine the impact of the pandemic on Government spending on medical aid, productive hours lost and the cost of early retirement.It will also assess the level of preparedness in the public sector to deal with resulting challenges.Speaking at the launch, United Nations Resident Co-ordinator Simon Nhongo said concrete evidence was essential in order to design effective and sustainable development and social programmes on the impact of HIV-AIDS.”The best way to know about the pandemic is to know about all its various aspects,” he said.He added that the loss of skills and experience as a result of AIDS deaths was putting a strain on the labour market.