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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

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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’

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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

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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