Officials of Aasandha Company speak at press conference. PHOTO/MIHAARU
Aasandha Company announced Wednesday that it has spent over MVR 300 million from the state budget so far this year, under the Maldives’ universal healthcare insurance scheme “Husnuvaa Aasandha”.
In a press conference, Aasandha’s Managing Director Hassan Ali stated that the bulk of expenses was spent on local pharmacies and patients sent abroad for treatment. Aasandha’s expenses amount to MVR 78 million for pharmacies and MVR 60 million to foreign hospitals.
The State Budget 2017 allocates MVR 731 million for the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), which is operated under the Ministry of Health.
According to MD Hassan Ali, 3,776 people were sent abroad for medication under the Aasandha scheme, out of which 1,000 required treatments for cancers. Some of the individuals had also been sent repeatedly.
Among those sent abroad included patients afflicted with diseases of the eyes, excretory system, nervous system, and digestive system. Statistics also indicate that most patients were sent to either India or Sri Lanka, the closest neighbours of the Maldives.
MD Hassan declared that the ongoing enhancement of the main hospital in reclaimed suburb Hulhumale will greatly reduce the number of patients that have to be sent abroad. He highlighted that Hulhumale Hospital is set to commence various cancer treatments this coming October.