1. 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

2. 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’

3. 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

4. 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

5. www.aids2014.org 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

6. www.aids2014.org 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

7. www.aids2014.org 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

8. www.aids2014.org Acknowledgments The 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