Yearly, Shell companies in the Philippines (SciP) conduct the SD-HSSE Week (Sustainable Development-Health, Safety, Security, and Environment Week). The Health Services Department headed by Country Health Adviser Dr. Rose V. Rivera actively participates in this weeklong celebration by conducting health activities that benefit Shell staff.
One of the major health activities for the SD-HSSE Week this year was to safeguard the health of Shell staff and their families on a pandemic disease - HIV / AIDS. An information and prevention campaign was launched and a series of activities were conducted SciP-wide by Shell Health Services in coordination with Shell's External Affairs and Human Resource Departments.
HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing
A week before the SD-HSSE Week, a series of materials were released to all SciP staff on vital information regarding the prevention of acquiring and spreading of HIV / AIDS. This info campaign was based on a survey spearheaded by Country Chairman Edgar O. Chua that measured the HIV / AIDS awareness level of Shell staff and contractors nationwide. The survey revealed a high awareness level with an overwhelming response rate of 70%.
This further improved the awareness of staff to take the HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) that was conducted at all major Shell sites nationwide last June 15. A total of 295 staff in Shell House, Pandacan, SSSC and CSC in RCBC, SPEX, Tabangao, Keppel, Aviation, Bacolod , Cagayan De Oro, and Sasa participated in this activity. Remedios AIDS Foundation was one of Shell's partners in conducting the HIV VCT.
HIV VCT was free and voluntary to all staff who wants an increased knowledge on how this can protect his/her family from being exposed to HIV / AIDS.
