Hulhudhoo Constituency MP and People's National Congress (PNC) Deputy Leader Mohamed Shahid has called to include all citizens in Allied Insurance instead of state universal health insurance "Aasandha".

During today's Parliament sitting on the debate concerning the petition filed to Parliament in regards to cutting off MPs health insurance that has amassed more than 7,000 signatures, Shahid said the state would incur less expenses if they were to include all citizens in an insurance scheme MPs are a part of.

According to him, the statement where MPs are being given an expensive health insurance package that citizens cannot obtain is false.

“I stand here today to say that including all Maldivian citizens in the insurance package would significantly reduce state expenditure. However,  we should believe that citizens would lose their entitlement to two-way tickets currently covered under Aasandha. Citizens can apply to the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) for additional assistance, but MPs do not have access to that allowance,” Shahid said.

While stating that people see the health insurance for MPs is an advanced scheme and expressing disapproval toward the petition, Shahid said that "Aasandha" poses a heavier expenditure for the state.

“Maldivian citizens should receive medical treatment, and that is a valid point. However, Aasandha has become a system that provides free healthcare without a spending limit. The state is going bankrupt paying for Aasandha,” Shahid said.

While Shahid spoke on the matter, MVR 2.02 billion has been set aside from the MVR 64.2 billion for this year that has been passed by the Parliament. According to statistics publicized by the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises on 8th October, MVR 1.9 billion from the Aasandha budget has been spent.