A screening inventory on hearing impairment
carried out in Nigeria during 2006 demonstrated
that emphasis needs to be paid to noise
awareness and abatement programmes. This
challenge has consequently been included in the
2007 Annual Health Plan for Nigerian Breweries.
During the year, a health 'road map' advising
Heineken Operating Companies how to manage
a health and business crisis resulting from a
possible Avian Influenza pandemic was compiled,
discussed and distributed to the regions.
Throughout 2006, our HIV/AIDS policy was
sustained and strengthened in partnership with
the Pharmaccess Foundation. Our cooperation
with this NGO guarantees the quality of treatment
programmes offered and helps us to engage the
support of HIV/AIDS experts. Fortnightly telephone
conferences and patient monitoring via an
encrypted confidential database ensure quality
control and thorough follow-ups. During 2006,
we reported on our activities to institutions that
included the Global Business Coalition and issued
progress reports in medical journals and during
the World Aids conference in Toronto, Canada.
At present, 9,888 Heineken employees and
dependants in developing countries have been
voluntarily tested for HIV/AIDS, with 365 testing
seropositive. Of these, 230 are currently receiving
HIV therapy, while the remaining 135 are not yet
in a phase of the disease during which treatment
would improve their well-being.
Tuberculosis, specifically the multi-drug resistant
type of the disease, has been recognised as a
worldwide health threat to our employees. Our
medical services try to identify cases as early as
possible and actively encourage all those affected
to take the relevant action for as long as is
necessary to ensure a complete cure if possible.
Joint efforts with external agencies, including
multinationals, are also necessary to combat this
disease effectively and one of our Group Medical
Advisers is participating as a member of the Fight
against TB board.
Our medical professionals have been trained
in the latest developments in the treatment of
malaria, including the use of long-lasting bed
nets impregnated with an insecticide. These
are handed out to our employees and their
dependants. In Africa, every one of our breweries
has made a particular effort to ensure these bed
nets are readily available to all employees and
family members.
In addition to the issues discussed above, our
clinics offer both antenatal treatment and special
clinics for children under the age of five. These
are open to employees and their families. All
services aimed to improve women's health are
provided free of charge, while our approach
stresses the need to work with other institutions
because we believe this produces better health
standards at local country level. Our doctors in
Africa and Asia report to Group Health Affairs on
a quarterly basis; this ensures they receive the
Heineken N.V. Q Q
Sustainability Report 2006 O O
