Aasandha Company, on Thursday, has announced the expansion of Asasandha coverage to optical prescriptions issues by a large number of private clinics and optical shops.
On December 31st, National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) announced the expansion of Asasandha coverage to optical prescriptions issues by private clinics and optical stops effective of January 15th.
Accordingly, Aasandha, on Thursday, announced that the change has come into effect. As per the announcement, Aasandha coverage will be extended to eye refraction prescriptions issued by an Aasandha-registered ophthalmologists at private clinic or optical shop registered for Aasandha services.
The publicized list includes 18 establishments in total. They are:
ADK Hospital
Advance Eye Clinic
Advance Medical Clinic
AIMS Diagnostic Care
Azmi Naeem Medical and Diagnostic Centre (AMDC)
City Optical Clinic
EyeCare Clinic
EyeCare Clinic Hulhumale' Branch
EyeCare Hospital
EyeCare Hospital Hulhumale' Annex
Farook HealthCare
Maldicare
Medica Hospital
Noosandha
Senahiya
Tree Top Hospital
Vision Clinic
Public health facilities
According to NSPA, the changes were made to allow people to easily obtain prescription glasses.
There has long been public concern over the cost of prescription glasses sold by private businesses in the Maldives. To help reduce the financial burden on consumers, the government last June increased the Aasandha subsidy for prescription glasses from MVR 1,000 to MVR 2,000 every two years. In addition, free optical shops have been established at the government’s main hospital, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, and at Hulhumale’ Hospital.
However, some people have expressed concern that increased government involvement private businesses.