Janashakthi extends life cover for people with HIV

Janashakthi Insurance has extended life cover to those diagnosed with HIV. This is a new policy that will change the lives of many people and give them peace of mind. Over 3,300 people were living with HIV by the end of 2014, according to estimated data from the National STD/AIDS Control program.

Founder, Janashakthi Insurance, Chandra Schaffter said, "In the life insurance industry there is a common practice known as 'HIV exclusion'.

"This means that all claims arising directly or indirectly from a policy holder's HIV will not be covered. Janashakthi is the only insurer which did not have this exclusion in its life policies for Basic Life cover from day one."

"With this initiative, Janashakthi will become the only insurance company which will offer Life Assurance to people with HIV," he said.

Janashakthi introduced this life policy to coincide with World Aids Day.

Former National HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator for the International Labour Organization (ILO), Dr. Indira Hettiarachchi said, "This policy will encourage people to seek early treatment and make sure they continue treatment. The policy is linked to the patient's CD4 count - a blood test that indicates how well the immune system is working. This will help people living with HIV to live a near normal life and it will also reduce the spread of HIV from an infected person to another."

The ILO supported the insurance sector of Sri Lanka to improve social security for people with HIV.

Janashakthi has historically been an innovator, acting as a pioneer in the insurance sector. These include Life Unlimited, a policy allowing for lifetime hospitalization cover with a 20 year premium, Jeevitha Thilina, a gift insurance policy which permits grandparents to gift their grandchildren with insurance policies and LifeSaver, a flexible plan which provides a secure pension for a policyholder and spouse for their entire lifetime upon retirement.