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SABMiller plc
SABMiller plc
11/08/2012 | Press release
SAB Condom Distribution to Taverns Averts More Than 20000 New HIV/AIDS Infections
distributed by noodls on 11/08/2012 05:34
SAB Condom Distribution to Taverns Averts More Than 20000 New HIV/AIDS Infections
8 November 2012
More than 10-million condoms distributed via SAB distribution network and logistics
Johannesburg. 8 November 2012. A year after launching its condom distribution programme, the South African Breweries (SAB) has delivered more than 10 million condoms to taverns across South Africa, using its infrastructure, delivery trucks and extensive distribution network.
SAB launched the programme late last year as a public private partnership with the National Department of Health (NDoH), the South African Business Coalition on HIV/Aids (SABCOHA) and the Society of Family Health (SFH). SAB joined the national condom distribution programme to assist government extend its distribution reach to non-traditional outlets, namely taverns.
SAB is well positioned to undertake the task of delivering condoms owing to its efficient and reputable distribution logistics solution and extensive reach. SAB's 40 distribution depots are used as primary distribution sites where condom stock is stored and collected by SAB truck drivers for distribution during their scheduled delivery run.
The aim is to reach 16 000 local taverns over the next five years, distributing more than 845-million condoms to these in total and averting 1.6-million new HIV/Aids infections.
To date, SAB has reached 7303 taverns and distributed 10 456 600 condoms to them over a period of a year. This has assisted in averting 20,914 new HIV/Aids infections. Taverns each received 400 condoms per month and additional stock delivered if needed. Twelve SAB depots have implemented the programme and are operating as Primary Distribution Sites.
The HIV/Aids aversion rate is calculated according to a John Stover (founder and president of Futures Institute) study which claims that for every 500 condoms distributed, at least one new infection is averted. This indicates that condoms are highly effective in protecting individuals against contracting HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI's).
"Challenges facing society are best tackled through the combined efforts of individuals and groups. Working with government and expert organisations within the HIV/Aids space, we believe that we can make a difference in the fight against the pandemic which has a devastating impact on communities and economic development," says Hepsy Mkhungo, SAB Head Enterprise Development and Community Partnerships.
For further information, please contact:
Robyn Chalmers
Head of Media and Communications, SAB
Tel: 011 881 8679
Email: robyn.chalmers@za.sabmiller.com
For the latest SAB news, follow us on:
Twitter: @SABreweries
Facebook: facebook.com/SouthAfricanBreweries
Background:
SAB conducted a pilot phase of the programme at three of its depots based in Gauteng over a period of three months in 2011 prior to its national roll out. During the pilots, SAB depots, Denver, Soweto and Isando, distributed a total of 1.8 million condoms to more than 3000 taverns. An assessment of the pilot indicated that the initiative was well-received amongst depots, truck drivers, tavern owners and taverners, who all believe it will have a positive impact on communities into the future.
Facts
HIV/Aids is one of the worst health crises facing South Africa, today with more than 5.7 million people living with the disease.
It has been shown that condoms, when used correctly, are highly effective in protecting against HIV/Aids and STI's/
An increased uptake in condom use in South Africa encouraged the National Department of Health to double it distribution targets from 450 million in 2009/2010 to 1 billion in 2010/2011.
Historically, Project Promote commenced in the cleaning industry in May 2006 and was later expanded to include larger industry sites.
Project Promote contributes to Millenium Development Goal (MDG) No. 6: Combat HIV/Aids, Malaria and other diseases.
This is a SABMiller subsidiary news release, it was first published in its local market on 8th November 2012.
