Change low graphic options | Change language | Skip content to navigation
Page context: Home > News online
Partnership to spread HIV awareness message at sea
7 May 2009
Members of a brand new partnership project, designed to put HIV awareness on the seafaring agenda, set out a plan of action last week.
The group - the global partnership on HIV and mobile workers in the maritime sector – brings together representatives from eight organisations, including the United Nations, non-governmental organisations, unions and employers. It outlined its strategic aims at the ITF’s headquarters in London, UK, on 29 April, during a three-day meeting. During the event participants involved in the recently launched initiative ironed out plans for the projects structure, funding and activities.
The project will engage with seafarers directly to tackle high risk behaviour and transmission and raise awareness of the issue both nationally and internationally. The project will also address some of the structural and contextual issues that make seafarers vulnerable to HIV and AIDS. These include, for example, looking at ways of improving the quality of and access to health services at port clinics and lobbying employers to establish intervention in the workplace. It is also anticipated that a pilot programme working with Filipino seafarers will begin this year.
Dr Asif Altaf, ITF global HIV/AIDS project coordinator, said: “The partnership was born in November last year to explore collaboration on HIV at sea. The new secretariat has quickly grown and this week we have got together to set out what this now strengthened partnership wants to achieve and how we intend to do it.
“HIV/AIDS is an issue at sea, but it’s one that has not been aired the way that it has, say, among truck drivers. We believe it is vital that all those who can help in that debate and in suggesting ways to tackle the virus and its effects, medical and social, come together to share their knowledge and experiences. This event has been a major step in beginning that process.”
Back to current news online stories
Section home:
News online
Other pages for News online:
About News Online | What is RSS | ITF Headlines on your Website
RSS feeds
Download our free RSS news feeds:
English |Español |Français |Deutsch |Svenska
What is RSS?
Main Sections:
Home | About us | Solidarity | Flags of Convenience campaign | Seafarers | Dockers | Civil Aviation | Railways | Road transport | Urban Transport | Fisheries | Tourism | Inland Navigation | Education | Young workers | Women | ETF Home | Congress 2010
Transport International Magazine
accessibility | site help | site map
ITF House, 49-60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DR | +44 20 7403 2733 | mail@itf.org.uk