The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) took on the mandate of catalysing industry’s involvement in India’s social development agenda, in the early 1990’s. CII has undertaken a mission of placing these social objectives on every boardroom agenda.

As a part of this process, CII began its HIV/ AIDS prevention and care program in 1996 and workplace intervention programs were initiated by CII for its member companies shortly thereafter.

The Indian Business Trust for HIV/ AIDS was established in the year 2000, to bring focus on the HIV/ AIDS work, to engage the business leadership and provide a forum for convergence, for the Business’ response to AIDS. The IBT is headed by Mr. Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Group and consists of CEOs of public and private sector companies.

CII and IBT’s ongoing activities in the response to AIDS, are outlined below:

• First, the framing of a HIV/AIDS code for industry, which includes development of a workplace policy for industry and framing of workplace protocols, which are standardized on ISO 9002.
• Second implementation of an `AIDS in the Workplace’ programme which has covered over 2000 corporates.
• Third a commitment to get all 5000 +member companies of CII to adopt the HIV/ AIDS Policy for Industry.
• Fourth, a CII –AIC (Australia India Council) clinical care training programme for medical professional to enhance their skills while providing care and treatment.

  1200 doctors from 26 cities and 300 nurses & lab technicians from 6 cities have been trained as part of this programme, since its inception in 2003.

• Fifth partnership projects with NGOs to provide employment and income generation to HIV positive persons (eg paper recycling) and donation of equipment and tools for this purpose.
• Sixth the establishment of a programme to provide funds and mentoring to assist HIV positive persons to set up micro enterprises
• Seventh the setting up of counselling helplines out of CII offices, the first of which is operational, in Lucknow.
• Eighth advocacy against stigma & discrimination for People Living with HIV/ AIDS through meets, sports activities, walks and other activities.
• Ninth a series of large business meets across the country to accelerate business leadership in the area of HIV/AIDS. 7 such conferences were conducted in 2005.
• Tenth partnerships at the global level with international agencies as well as the Global Business Coalition for HIV/AIDS for advocacy & sharing of best practices, across countries and businesses.
• Eleventh mobilising corporate sector participation in the Government led national programme for enhancing drugs availability, diagnostics facilities, care & support facilities for AIDS patients on Antiretroviral therapy.

  CII has in 2004, donated four CD4 machines to the Government hospitals in Kohima, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Delhi.

• Twelfth CII as a member of a NGO-private sector consortium, comprising 5 partners, is engaged n a 5year project to facilitate the setting up and expansion of corporate owned / managed care, support & treatment facilities, for patients on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).

  The project is supported by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB & Malaria (GFATM) Round 4. ACC is the first company, which has agreed to sign up for a center in Wadi, Karnataka.

• Thirteenth Under the same programme CII/ IBT alongwith the India Development Foundation (IDF) developed a “Health Smart Card”. CII/IDF/IBT has conducted an on-site operational feasibility study of the smart card system at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi and is now conducting a pilot project at two government ART centres – Dr. RML hospital and L.R.S.Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases. ‘The Health Smart Card’ system can be replicated across the nation.
• Fourteenth working with the Indian pharma industry, in particular the manufacturers of generic ARV’s, to facilitate reduction in costs and enhance affordability.
• Fifteenth a corporate township programme, where an integrated and comprehensive AIDS intervention programme is conducted in corporate townships.
• Sixteenth A special “cluster approach” for working with small and medium companies. This concept builds on the natural advantage provided by industrial clusters where a number of small companies are located with similar business interests and issues.

  This 18 month project will be conducted in partnership with UNDP in 5 clusters: Ludhiana, Parwanoo, Noida, Lucknow and Vadodara

• Seventeenth signing up film actor Vidya Balan as brand ambassador for IBT to support the advocacy initiatives.

  A public service message to create awareness on the issues relating to HIV/AIDS was aired on NDTV in October 2005.

• Eighteenth setting up of a permanent secretariat, comprising professionals to work in this area, at the Centre, in the Regions, and with one representative office in Washington DC.
• Nineteenth a commitment to work with the Government and with NGO’s to find innovative and effective mechanisms to join hands for programmes and projects.