"We aim to inspire each other in order to
increase our commitment and expertise
by stimulating an open dialogue."
33
As an ongoing activity, we continued our work
on knowledge and skills improvement of our local
health staff. Core activities in this respect are our
bi-annual conferences (in 2007 this conference
was also attended by our CEO), online health
reporting, reviews of locations and continuous
postgraduate medical training.
Also in 2007, an electronic patient file and stock
control system called 'doc4doc' was introduced
in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo,
Rwanda and Burundi. This system ensures
a more standardised format of health care
provision and provides real-time reporting. One
of the advantages is that it can also be used as
a training tool for our local nursing staff.
We continued our HIV/Aids programme and
specific attention was given to regular voluntary
testing of employees and their dependants. As
good practice, we believe that everyone should
take a voluntary HIV test in areas with a relatively
high HIV prevalence every two years as it is
important that everyone knows his or her status.
We try to prevent new cases by conducting
prevention activities in operating companies in
countries with a high infection rate. Nearly 400
seropositive patients are now benefiting from the
company's HIV/AIDS policy in sub-Saharan Africa.
In our previous report we indicated that we
would perform an independent audit on our
activities regarding BPs in Cambodia. This audit
was executed by the international NGO, CARE
International. If we compare the findings of
their base line survey of October 2003, we
see significant progress in many areas that
are covered by our Beer Promoter Rules and
Guidelines. However, we also see areas that
require further attention.
We stated that we would actively encourage
BPs to seek voluntary testing for HIV/AIDS and,
if necessary, treatment which is offered free of
charge in Cambodia. By openly discussing this with
the BPs, we have lowered the threshold and tried
to remove the taboo of HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, as
we had indicated in our previous report, we have
a written agreement with our local business
partner covering issues such as working hours and
overtime, duration, salary, benefits and allowance.
Stefaan van der Borght
Director Health Affairs
Heineken International,
the Netherlands
Heineken Health Care Symposium
What is the nature of the relationship between corporations and
(non) government organisations when it comes to health care? How
do we shape public-private partnerships in this context? These were
just a few of the questions addressed at the inaugural Health Care
Symposium organised by Heineken International on 3 October 2007
in Amsterdam. Keynote speakers included, amongst others, His
Excellency Bert Koenders, Minister for Development and Cooperation
in the Netherlands, Dr Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director, Under
Secretary-General of the United Nations and Prof. Joep Lange,
Executive Director, Center for Poverty-related Communicable Diseases.
The purpose of the symposium was to highlight and examine the
ongoing debate about the role of businesses and the private sector
in the provision and support of health care services. Multinational
corporations are under increasing pressure to assist in the provision
of health care services, with many companies beginning to redefine
the limits of their own responsibilities. Heineken has been a pioneer
in this area since the early 1980s, working and partnering with a range
of aid organisations. The Company's main concern is to safeguard
the health of employees, rather than organising public national
health care, which is primarily the responsibility of governments. Yet
companies do accept additional responsibilities in those countries
where primary public health care is insufficient and if this has an
impact on employee performance.
More than 150 invited prominent guests attended the symposium,
including foreign dignitaries, academics, medical practitioners and
representatives of other multinational corporations. The event set
ground for an inspiring debate on the many aspects of opportunities
and limitations of health care in resource-poor settings. See also
www.symposium.heineken.com.
Heineken N.V. Sustainability Report 2007
irivate partnersl
Health Care Symposium
