Local business operators complained to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Wednesday that the government’s opticianry service - MCGH Opticals – is being run in collaboration with a Sri Lankan company, with all the profits from the service going outside the country.
The MCGH Opticals opened at the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) on July 27, as part of new measures announced by President Muizzu to improve access to high-quality eyewear for the public in a convenient and cost-effective manner. The center provides a variety of services, including eye prescription assessments, diagnosis of specific eye conditions, and dispensing prescription glasses.
This move by the government to intervene in the private sector had drawn criticism, even back then.
Sun has received multiple complaints regarding the government’s eyewear center via its whistleblower portal – Fashaaru. Whistleblowers allege that the revenue from the service is going to a Sri Lankan company, and that the center is charging MVR 2,000 – the maximum annual Aasandha coverage for prescription glasses – even if the actual cost is cheaper, thereby exploiting the public health insurance scheme.
These concerns were raised directly with President Muizzu during a meeting he held on Wednesday night with representatives from local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Ahmed Naseem, a businessman who runs two eyewear shops, said that opening an eyewear shop at the IGMH is not a problem by itself, and the competition will only prompt the development of the industry.
But he said that while many people are now getting their prescription glasses from IGMH to get the full Aasandha coverage, the benefit is going to a Sri Lankan company.
Male' City Group of Hospitals (MCGH) Opticals at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). (Sun Photo/Moosa Nadheem)
“I believe it is regrettable that the system is allowing all this money to go out to Lanka. I believe this needs to be rectified,” he said.
Naseem said that while the lower MVR 1,000 Aasandha allowance for prescription glasses meant people needed to spend out of their pockets to get glasses, the higher MVR 2,000 allowance means that people may not have to spend anything if they want to get their glasses done, even from private shops.
He questioned why the government made the unilateral decision to open their own eyewear shop, instead of discussing with businesses to facilitate a way to have prescription glasses done within the MVR 2,000 allowance from private shops.
Naseem also questioned the government’s motivation behind contracting a Sri Lankan business to collaborate with on its eyewear shop, instead of a well-established local one.
President Muizzu did not directly respond to these allegations, but promised to look into the concerns raised by private eyecare businesses.
Back in May, said that his decision to launch a government eye service is motivated not just by a desire to ensure people have access to high-quality eyeglasses at affordable rates, but also to prevent private businesses from exploiting consumers and taking advantage of the higher Aasandha limit for eyeglasses.
In August, the government opened a second outlet of MCGH Opticals at the Hulhumale’ Hospital.