Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Shafiq has announced that the Maldives will begin a major overhaul of its Aasandha public health insurance scheme in October. The scheme, which provides free health coverage to all Maldivian citizens, is set to undergo significant reforms aimed at improving its efficiency and sustainability.

Speaking to the Finance Committee of Parliament, Dr. Shafiq assured that the upcoming changes will be implemented with minimal disruption to the public. He emphasized that the government is committed to a transparent process, with extensive consultation and communication to keep citizens informed about the reforms.

“We are committed to making these reforms in a way that does not inconvenience our citizens,” Dr. Shafiq said

The Finance Minister acknowledged that the Aasandha scheme has faced challenges, including the occurrence of unnecessary medical procedures that have led to increased costs and potential risks for patients. The planned reforms are designed to address these issues by streamlining operations and enhancing service delivery.

Heena Waleed, CEO of the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), also provided an update to the Social Committee of Parliament on ongoing efforts to reform both the NSPA and the Aasandha scheme. She highlighted that the reforms will include a shift towards prioritizing private insurance services starting in October, with the goal of making the scheme more targeted and efficient.

“Starting in October, we will prioritize private insurance services to make the Aasandha scheme more targeted and efficient,” Waleed explained

Waleed noted that the high costs associated with private hospital services in Malé City have put a significant strain on the NSPA’s budget. The upcoming changes aim to ensure that the Aasandha scheme remains effective and financially sustainable while continuing to offer essential health coverage to all Maldivian citizens.

Minister Shafiq emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about these changes and assured that the government is committed to a smooth transition to improve the overall effectiveness of the Aasandha scheme.