Aasandha says sending patients abroad for treatments available in Maldives is not a new practice

Aasandha Managing Director Aiminath Zeeniya says the national health insurance scheme has long been sending patients abroad for treatments that are technically available in the Maldives.

The operational guidelines of the Aasandha Scheme were recently amended to allow overseas referrals for treatments available locally, taking into account difficulties in accessing the service and the patient’s medical circumstances.

Speaking on PSM’s Raajje Miadhu programme, Zeeniya said this practice is not new.

“Even if the treatment is available in Maldives, we will send them abroad under Aasandha. This is not new,” Aasandha Managing Director Aiminath Zeeniya.

She said doctors often recommend overseas treatment for patients who have undergone spinal surgery twice without success. In such cases, even if the service exists in Maldives, Aasandha will facilitate the referral.

Zeeniya added that Aasandha also sends patients abroad for major urgent surgeries that involve long waiting times locally, as well as based on cost assessments.

The Health Ministry recently announced that 16 services under the NSPA Medical Welfare Scheme have now been transferred to Aasandha. Applications for medical assistance can now be submitted through the My Aasandha portal, a change expected to speed up service delivery.

Aasandha remains one of the most expensive components of the state budget.