AIDS insurance arrives
( 2003-09-17 09:50) (bjtoday.com)
While developing countries are bargaining for cheaper anti HIV/AIDS medicines
and the technologies for mass production of them, a Chinese insurer has
responded to the increasing awareness of the deadly disease by launching a
policy for sufferers. However, consumers have complained that the criteria of
the policy are too restrictive.
Tai Ping Life Insurance Co. launched the policy last month in Nanjing. For an
annual premium of around 300 yuan (varying according to age and health), people
will be entitled to a payment of 10,000 yuan if they are diagnosed with AIDS.
But the conditions attached to the policy are too strict, according to
consumers. The policy only covers people who get AIDS from a blood transfusion
in a hospital or blood center and it must be confirmed as a case of medical
malpractice. Haemophilia patients are excluded from the list, because they have
to receive blood transfusions regularly.
In addition, the policy offers no cover for people who contract the HIV
virus; they only get compensation if it’s full blown AIDS. But a member of the
National Institute for Health Education said the policy represented a
“breakthrough”, and that it would have a positive effect in drawing attention to
the plight of HIV/AIDS carriers.
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