Aasandha Addresses High Healthcare Costs, Plans for Package Pricing

The Managing Director of Aasandha, Aminath Zeeniya highlighted the challenges posed by the high rates charged by independent healthcare facilities in the Maldives and assured that efforts are underway to introduce package pricing, including Aasandha’s coverage, to mitigate these costs.

In Parliament’s Committee on Economic Affairs, Zeeniya was responding to a question from Asma Rasheed, the Parliamentarian for Central Maafannu and Chairperson of the Committee, regarding whether measures are being taken to address the excessive charges levied by private hospitals. Rasheed expressed concerns over the financial burden on low-income individuals, who often rely on Aasandha and the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) when faced with unaffordable medical bills.

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Zeeniya acknowledged these concerns, revealing that Finance Minister Mohamed Shafeeq had raised similar issues during a recent phone conversation. She confirmed that steps are being taken under his guidance to address the problem.

To tackle this issue, Aasandha is exploring the introduction of package prices that would prevent hospitals from charging more than the agreed-upon rates after services are provided. However, Zeeniya also pointed out that long queues at state hospitals, such as Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and Dharumavantha Hospital, compel many to seek faster services in the private sector.

Zeeniya mentioned that discussions are also underway with foreign healthcare providers to reduce costs for Maldivians seeking treatment abroad.

Echoing Zeeniya’s concerns, Heena Waleed, CEO of NSPA, reiterated the high costs of healthcare in the Maldives and assured that efforts are ongoing to negotiate lower rates. Waleed emphasized that the availability of advanced procedures, such as neurosurgery, is currently limited to private hospitals, making it difficult to reduce costs unless state hospitals begin offering these services.

Waleed also warned that Aasandha and NSPA’s expenditure is unlikely to decrease without significant improvements in the country’s healthcare infrastructure. Aasandha had spent USD 1.7 billion by June of this year, with total expenditures for 2023 expected to reach MVR 2.4 billion. Zeeniya predicted that similar figures would be seen by the end of this year.