Minister Nazim said that the health system is not just about medical treatments and infrastructure but also about implementing comprehensive policies.
Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim said today that while the state budget allocates funds annually for the Aasandha insurance system, the allocated amount has never sufficed, leading to significant economic burdens.
Speaking at the ceremony marking Hulhumale' Hospital’s conversion to a tertiary-level facility, Minister Nazim noted that for the past 15 years, annual spending on the Aasandha system has exceeded the allocated budget.
"This sends a very important message. The numbers show there are issues in the system that need attention," Nazim said, adding that no meaningful reforms have been undertaken due to lax policies or political pressures.
The government has now developed a special plan to reduce inefficiencies in the Aasandha system.
Minister Nazim said that the health system is not just about medical treatments and infrastructure but also about implementing comprehensive policies.
"According to Aasandha statistics, the entire system has become a significant burden on the economy as the budget approved by Parliament has never been sufficient," he said.
He noted that the public does not want the economy weighed down by Aasandha but instead wishes for the health system to benefit the most deserving people.
Nazim said 60 percent of the Aasandha budget is spent on medicines, with prices in the Maldives significantly higher than in other countries due to systemic issues.
However, the government is now taking steps to address this, he said.
meThis month, the government regulated the prices of more than 200 drugs and introduced changes to the way Aasandha services are provided.
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