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www.aids2014.org
Research Based Advocacy for Removing the Exclusion of HIV from Private Insurance Policies in Sri Lanka
Indira Hettiarachchi, ILO Sri Lanka
Richard Howard, ILO Regional Office Bangkok
LeeNah Hsu, ILO/AIDS, Geneva
Chandra Schaffter, Janashakthi Insurance Plc.
Kularatne NG, Lanka International Management Advisory Services
Abstract no. MOPDE0105
Protect Human Rights at Work, Prevent HIV
www.aids2014.org
Background
Sri Lanka - Population nearly 20 million - Low HIV prevalence (<0.1%)- Estimated number of PLHIV is 4000- Good social protection services
ILO research (2011) ‘Public, Private, National and Local Schemes of HIV sensitive Social Protection Mechanisms contributing to reducing HIV and TB Vulnerabilities’
www.aids2014.org
Research Findings and Recommendations
Findings • National social security mechanisms are indifferent to
HIV• National AIDS Programme provide free HIV testing,
counselling and ART • 19 out of 20 insurance companies exclude HIV in health
and life policies
Key recommendations
- Provide employment services for PLHIV- Advocate for removal of HIV exclusion clauses - Advocacy for employers
www.aids2014.org
Follow up action
• Mobilised resources from ILO/Japan Social Safety Net Fund
• Assessed reasons for exclusion of HIV from health insurance policies
• Obtained support of the insurance regulatory authority
• Assessed the financial risk of including HIV • Conducted a strategic advocacy meeting with Chief
Executives of Insurance Companies• Emphasised the social responsibility of insurance
companies
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Strategic Advocacy Meeting
Areas discussed
• Basics of HIV & AIDS
• Prevalence of HIV in Sri Lanka
• Overview of ILO Recommendations on social protection and AIDS
• Efficacy of treatment
• Cost of HIV treatment in Sri Lanka
• Negligible risk of removing the clause excluding HIV
• Benefits of HIV inclusion in health insurance schemes
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Results
• Insurance leaders became more sensitive to issues of PLHIV
• Became aware of “Getting to Zero” and their social responsibility
• Four Insurance companies removed HIV exclusion clause
• Special Life Insurance Policy tailor made for PLHIV developed
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Lessons Learnt and Next Steps
Lessons learnt• Advocacy based on sound economic rationale was
effective • Government's policy of free VCT and ART aided the
decision to remove HIV exclusion clauses • Advocating a rights based approach and engaging
PLHIV was effective
Next Steps • Promote a collective decision to remove HIV exclusion
clauses• Convince the public sector insurance companies to
support
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Thank You
AcknowledgmentsThe International Labour Organization
National Institute of Labour Studies (NILS)
ILO/Japan Social Safety Net Funds
Lanka International Management Advisory Services
Insurance Board of Sri Lanka
Janashakthi Insurance PLC