The AfriCap Working Group developed a set of guiding principles for HIV and AIDS and health risk management to assist MFIs in focussing their efforts. The principles underpin all the risk and control items considered in Chapters 3 and 4 of this Guide, and relate both to workplace and marketplace.

PRINCIPLE 1 - GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY As pART of risk management at Board level, MFIs should consider the risk and impact of HIV & AIDS and other significant health issues on staff and clients, and develop an appropriate response. This principle underpins the entire risk management framework, and the need for good information and strategic review for example controls 4.1.1 to 4.2.2.

PRINCIPLE 2 - NON-DISCRIMINATION The MFI should not unfairly discriminate against any staff member or client on the basis of his or her HIV status or health condition. A positive HIV status in itself will not prevent an individual becoming or remaining a client of the MFI. This principle influences responses to risk of discrimination (3.3.2 and 3.4.1), and acts in controls such as Policy (4.1.2) and education and support (4.8.2).

PRINCIPLE 3 - CONFIDENTIALITY All information held by an MFI in relation to a client is confidential and should be treated as such. Any information in relation to the health status of a member of staff or a client should be subject to particular duty of care with respect to confidentiality. Clear application of this principle is seen in controls on confidentiality, preventing poor service to clients and staff, partnership with external healthcare providers, loan officer training and sensitisation (such as controls 4.5.2 or the use of partners to provide healthcare services - Chapter 5).

PRINCIPLE 4 - SUSTAINABILITY The health and AIDS policies put in place by the MFI should be sustainable, to guarantee continuity. In the medium to long term, the Benefits should outweigh the costs. Partnerships (Chapter 5) are a key element in reducing costs for the MFI and the use of expert technical assistance (control 4.6) assist to ensure the sustainability of new initiatives.

PRINCIPLE 5 - RESPONSIBILITY FOR EDUCATION & AWARENESS-RAISING The MFI is responsible for continuously training its staff to understand what spreads HIV, how to prevent it as well as information on other significant health conditions and their prevention. The MFI also has to ensure that staff members are familiar with these specific policies developed for the workplace and for clients. MFIs may take further responsibility for education and awareness-raising within the wider community, and in particular amongst its clients. See for example controls 4.8.1, 4.8.2 and 4.9.1.

PRINCIPLE 6 - PROMOTING PARTNERSHIP MFIs should proactively seek to connect with local partners to collaborate where appropriate on HIV & AIDS related risk management activities. See Chapter 5.

PRINCIPLE 7 - MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT MFIs should have systems to monitor and assess the impact of risks in the local environment, including HIV & AIDS . Controls 4.2.1 and 4.3 are based on this principle.

PRINCIPLE 8 - MARKET PLACE: PROMOTING APPROPRIATE PRODUCTS MFIs should seek to promote products appropriate to the local circumstances, which will help to provide increased financial security to clients. Associated risks are 3.5.3 and most of the partnership risks (3.6) while the controls reflecting this principle include 4.10.1, 4.10.2 (credit product development) and 4.11.6, 4.11.8 (Insurance product development).