The potential of health micro-insurance in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. LbPp2206)
Moneti F International Labour Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
ISSUES What community-based mechanisms can enhance the capacity of poor families in the informal economy to access health care and take action to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS? Evidence is growing that health micro-insurance (HMIS), an innovative decentralized system of social protection, can play an important role. DESCRIPTION Organized groups such as informal trade, women, youth and village associations are setting up HMIS at an increasing rate in the informal economy. The paper explores their effective and potential contribution in strengthening communities' capacity to address HIV/AIDS. HMIS are typically recognized for their ability to increase access to treatment and care. However, their potential also relates to their role in strengthening the organization and mobilization of civil society groups around health issues. HMIS are particularly well suited to enable the groups to take action in prevention, including VCCT, psychosocial support to PLWA and in breaking down the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS. Their most unexplored potential relates to the role they can play to channel support to families affected by HIV/AIDS. Through these community-based mechanisms, governmental and non-governmental efforts addressing HIV/AIDS can reach individuals and households most in need. LESSONS LEARNT HMIS development and multiplication was spurred thanks to participatory processes that enabled nascent schemes to interact, test approaches and learn from each other. Schemes are multiplying because of their success in enabling members to access care. They have also served to raise awareness on health issues and to channel subsidies from NGOs to families affected by HIV/AIDS. RECOMMENDATION Support participatory processes that enable existing HMIS to identify how they are already addressing HIV/AIDS and how they could do more. Incorporate HIV/AIDS as a standard component in support to initiators of HMIS.
Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Insurance, Health, Organizations, Family Characteristics, Human, Female, economics
