Reforming Aasandha will stop begging for medical funding: Heena

Reforming the country's social health insurance scheme Aasandha will put an end to patients having to plead for medical funding, said CEO of National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), Heena Waleed.

Speaking with Mihaaru News, Heena stated that while every government talks about ending the need for people to plead for medical funding, the system remains unchanged.

The government is currently in the process of changing the Aasandha system, starting this month. The first step in this change is prioritising private insurance deductions for those who have taken out their own policies.

Additionally, the government also plans to tax the rich in order to reduce the government's expenditure on Aasandha.

So far this year, MVR 2.5 billion has been spent on pharmacies and consultations via Aasandha.

Although this expense has only risen annually, many patients with big illnesses are still left having to beg for money to cover their medical costs. Some of these fundraisers are on social media while island level fundraisers are also held from time to time.

According to Heena, once the Aasandha system is properly reformed, those who are most in need will receive full assistance.

“Begging for prescription funding still exists. Every government has promised to end this system, but the reality is people are still forced to plead for help. This system has not changed,” Heena said. “What we’re saying is that there should be an opportunity to eliminate the need to beg for prescription funds.”

“To establish a comprehensive and proper system where patients undergoing treatment for major, long-term illnesses are fully covered by Aasandha, and to create a system that provides medical coverage for patients facing sudden medical emergencies,” Heena said.

Heena said that there are many people in Maldives who are truly in need of assistance. However, what was practiced has been difference due to the system, she said.

"We are now working to arrange the systems so that those who need assistance the most, the most vulnerable are able to make use of the system," Heena said.