The government has launched five key social security and health programmes to fulfil President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s election pledges.
The programmes were inaugurated by the Minister of Health Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim and the Minister of Social and Family Development Dr Aishath Shiham at a special ceremony to launch the initiatives.
The initiatives include financial support of USD 130 per month for thalassemia patients, effective from 1 January. They also include expanded health coverage under the national health insurance scheme Aasandha, including full coverage of costs for all therapy services at private hospitals and clinics, and all mental health treatment costs.
Meanwhile, Maldivian students and citizens residing in the Philippines can now access overseas medical support under the Meranaa scheme, with 65 percent of medical costs covered by the government.
The ceremony also saw the official launch of increasing financial support for single parents, providing a monthly allowance of USD 195 per child, for a maximum of four children per family.
All five initiatives will come into effect on 1 January, 2026.