Comments on "Exposure Draft" by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), to provide health insurance for PLHIV and People Vulnerable to HIV/AIDS
National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) aims to ensure universal access to HIV treatment, care & support services for People living with HIV (PLHIV). Currently the financial burden of treatment & care is shared by Government of India through NACO and out of pocket expenses by People living with HIV (PLHIV). While NACO shares the direct cost of Anti-retroviral Treatment, PLHIV bear the indirect costs like travel, nutrition, treatment of Opportunistic infection, loss of wage etc. There are several studies that have looked at the economic impact on HIV households. These constraints not only put an additional burden on the households but also result in building resistance to the prescribed drugs because of sub optimal adherence. In such a scenario, health insurance provides a viable option for enhancing access to affordable health care to PLHIV and helping them to maintain good quality of life.
NACP is also committed to ensure social protection for those infected with or affected by HIV. Health insurance will provide necessary social support so that PLHIV can lead a life of dignity.
NACO has been interacting with Insurance Regulatory Development Authority(IRDA) for exploring options of providing insurance cover to PLHIV in the existing public and private sector health insurance schemes. In line with these efforts , IRDA has issued an Exposure draft to provide insurance cover for PLHIV and people vulnerable to HIV/AIDS under health insurance policies of both life and non-life insurance companies.
Yours' faithfully,
Data Manager,
A.R.T. Centre, V.S.S. Medical College, Burla
Sambalpur, Odisha.
--