For the first time in the country, insurance products tailored to meet the specific needs of HIV/AIDS patients and their families will be introduced in Gujarat. This has come following a joint study by the Institute of Public Health, Bangalore and the Gujarat State Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GSNP+) in a bid to change the way families of HIV/AIDS patients manage costs.

The study titled ‘Feasibility and Needs Assessment Study for a Health Insurance Cover of HIV Positive and Families in Gujarat’ has been carried out in 24 districts of Gujarat.

The findings will document the healthcare needs of people living with HIV, the expenditure involved and the coping mechanisms.

At present, HIV patients in India have to either depend on subsidised healthcare facilities—which only cover treatment costs—in terms of nutritional supplements, or have to rely on donations. The HIV/AIDS affected are not covered by the general medical insurance products in the country.

Dharmendra Patel, coordinator at GSNP+ said, “An HIV positive person has to spend as high as Rs 5,000 per day, which includes Insurance shield for HIV patients, families to battle disease the cost of nutritious food and medicines that he is required to take.”

According to the findings, most of the respondents favoured an insurance product and are ready to pay a premium between Rs 50 and 1,500 per annum. Almost 99 per cent of the survey population showed an interest to join the health insurance scheme.

The findings led to some of the insurance companies tying up with GSNP+ and the Gujarat State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) to come up with insurance products specially tailored for such people. GSACS Director Pradeep Kumar said the study findings were discussed with insurance companies interested in such a specific need-based health insurance product.

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