The National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) has spent MVR 47 million on spectacles in just four months, following the increase of Aasandha’s biannual subsidy for eyeglasses to MVR 2,000.
According to NSPA data, from June to October, private providers issued glasses to 17,117 individuals, costing MVR 32.7 million. Meanwhile, government hospitals provided spectacles to 7,382 people, with spending totaling MVR 14.8 million.
While government hospitals offer treatment for various eye conditions, the service of producing spectacles was only recently introduced. Until now, this service was exclusively provided by private clinics.
Male' City Group of Hospitals (MCGH) Opticals at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). (Sun Photo/Moosa Nadheem)
Previously, Aasandha covered MVR 1,000 for spectacles, leaving patients to bear the remaining cost. With the increased subsidy, access to vision correction has become more affordable for thousands of Maldivians.