3
Dr Chan pointed out that the annual medical cost of an AIDS patient could run to $100,000, and by the year 2000 the total medical cost for AIDS patients would surge to $85 million per year.
Besides medical cost, other economic losses derived from patients' sick leaves, brain drain and subsequent training of replacement staff would be immeasurable, she added.
"The best solution is for the management to tackle the threat of AIDS rationally by promoting education on the prevention of AIDS in the workplace to increase employees' awareness of and knowledge on the disease," she said.
Dr Chan said it was encouraging that the signatories of the charter scheme had increased steadily.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the charter scheme organising committee, Mr Paul Siu, called on employers to adopt a caring and non-discriminatory policy towards HIV infected staff, to support them and let them continue to contribute to the community.
Noting that AIDS could be prevented. Mr Siu said employers should also motivate employees to actively take precaution against contracting the AIDS virus.
The main objectives of the charter scheme are to enhance AIDS awareness and to encourage adoption of non-discriminatory policy in the workplace.
Any companies or organisation interested in the charter scheme are welcome to make enquire on 2780 8622.
End/Thursday, August 24, 1995
Navy warship to visit HK for liberation ceremonies
For the first time in three years, a major warship of the Royal Navy is to visit Hong Kong. The Trafalgar Class fleet submarine HMS Trenchant will berth in Hong Kong tomorrow (Friday), specifically to participate in the ceremonies marking the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Hong Kong.
She has been ordered to Hong Kong by the Navy's Fleet Headquarters in the United Kingdom to commemorate the Royal Navy task force which, under Rear Admiral Cecil Harcourt, liberated Hong Kong and re-established British sovereignty on August 30, 1945.