Zeeniya: Pharmacy payables made up 60% of Aasandha spending last year

Aasandha Company’s Managing Director Aminath Zeeniya has revealed that pharmaceutical expenses accounted for the largest share of expenditure under the national health insurance scheme, representing 60 percent of the total budget spent last year.

Speaking on a program aired by PSM last night, Zeeniya stated that after pharmacies, the highest expenditure was recorded from private clinics and hospitals. She also highlighted that a considerable amount of funds is allocated towards empaneled hospitals providing Aasandha-covered services overseas.

"The payables do not include payouts to the government sector; we only have to make payments to the private sector," Zeeniya explained.

Official statistics indicate that expenditure under Aasandha schemes has increased so far this year. As of July 16th, MVR 1.18 billion has been spent across various Aasandha programs, reflecting a 10.2 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, government spending on medical welfare services has decreased by 30.9 percent.

Addressing overseas medical services, Zeeniya stated that agreements are currently maintained with around 57 hospitals abroad, including healthcare facilities in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. She noted that these partnerships are formed based on factors including service quality, affordability, and access to advanced medical treatments.

To improve the importation and distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, the government recently established a new state-owned company, State Pharmaceutical & Medical Supply Corporation. 

The company has assumed full responsibility for the pharmaceutical operations previously managed by STO and has served as the main operator of government pharmacies since July this year. However, public concerns remain as challenges surrounding the availability of certain medicines continue.

For the current year, the government has allocated MVR 2.02 billion for Aasandha schemes, while MVR 409 million has been allocated for medical welfare services.

Aasandha Company was established in 2011 to oversee the state-funded health insurance scheme, which was introduced to provide financial support for medical expenses.