Aasandha Denies Cutting Off Insurance and “Abandoning” Maldivian Patient in India
Photo: MV+
Aasandha, the state health insurance company, has refuted social media claims that it had discontinued coverage for a Maldivian patient receiving treatment at a hospital in India.
The company issued a statement today addressing the allegations surrounding the case of a 65-year-old individual who was airlifted from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Aster CMI Hospital in Bengaluru.
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
The social media post in question claimed that Aasandha had completely cut off insurance for the patient, forcing the family to seek public donations to cover hospital bills amounting to up to USD 20,000 per month. The post further alleged that while Aasandha insisted the necessary treatment was available in the Maldives, it had refused to provide written details of these options.
In its response, Aasandha clarified that MVR 1.5 million had been provided as financial assistance through the Aasandha insurance scheme, the National Social Protection Agency, and the Zakat Fund.
ނޫސްބަޔާން: އާސަންދައިގެ ދަށުން ބެންގަލޫރުގެ އެސްޓަރ ސީ.އެމް.އައި އިން ފަރުވާ ހޯދަމުންދިޔަ ބަލިމީހަކަށް އާސަންދަ ކަނޑާލިކަމަށް ދައުރުވަމުންދާ ޙަޤީޤަތާ ޚިލާފު ވާހަކަތަކާގުޅޭ pic.twitter.com/V6ykU3w7Z1— Aasandha Company Ltd (@AasandhaLtd) September 12, 2024
The company explained that the patient had been undergoing intensive rehabilitation for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) since 14th March 2024, and confirmed that all interim bills submitted by the hospital had been paid until 18th August 2024.
However, after five months of treatment with no significant improvement, Aasandha said it held discussions with the patient’s family on 14th August 2024 regarding transferring the patient back to the Maldives for supportive care. The company reiterated that state health insurance does not cover prolonged rehabilitation abroad but assured that alternative rehabilitation options were available locally. It also stated that a treatment plan was discussed with the family, including plans to transfer the patient to the Maldives within three days.
Aasandha further noted that the total medical expenses for the patient up to 18th August 2024 amounted to USD 89,339.91, of which USD 85,989.15 had been paid by the state insurance.
