State Spent Over MVR 1.2 Billion on Police and MNDF Healthcare Outside Aasandha
Police and Maldives National Defence Force personnel attend a joint official ceremony. | Photo: Police
The Maldivian state spent more than MVR 1.2 billion on welfare and medical assistance for police and military personnel between 2019 and 2024, accounting for 40% of all health-related spending outside the national insurance scheme, Aasandha, according to an audit report.
The audit shows that MVR 619 million was spent on welfare and healthcare for police officers and their families, while MVR 601 million was spent on members of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and their dependents. Over the period reviewed, the budget for such spending recorded an average annual increase of 23 per cent.
According to the report, the expenditure included payments for treatment at private healthcare facilities as well as medical care obtained overseas. The primary reason cited for the rising costs was an increase in prices charged by private healthcare providers.
A significant portion of spending outside Aasandha was channelled through assistance programmes administered by the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA). The audit states that 51 per cent of the total expenditure outside the national insurance scheme—amounting to approximately MVR 1.5 billion between 2019 and the end of 2024—was related to financial assistance provided by the agency to cover medical bills and air travel for patients.
Performance Audit on the governance and sustainability of medical assistance and Insurance Schemeshttps://t.co/Ph6YSVLgFM pic.twitter.com/AHN5z38A2b— AGO (@AuditMV) January 8, 2026
The report also highlighted spending on private health insurance for members of parliament and other elected officials, as well as staff of the Maldives Correctional Service and their families. This expenditure totalled MVR 169.9 million over the five-year period.
In addition, the government utilised the Zakat Fund to support welfare-related healthcare costs. According to the audit, MVR 97.7 million was spent from the fund, with 72 per cent of that amount paid to a single private hospital, which was not named in the report.
The Auditor General raised concerns about the growing reliance on spending outside the national health insurance scheme and recommended stronger controls. The report called for the establishment of a legal framework to regulate healthcare prices, greater transparency through the publication of service charges, and the introduction of policies specifically aimed at limiting off-Aasandha spending for police and military personnel.
It also recommended the creation of a centralised system that would allow state agencies to identify individuals receiving medical assistance and track the details of healthcare support and insurance provided across different government bodies.
pic.twitter.com/5aHC3cwCXG— AGO (@AuditMV) January 8, 2026
The audit further advised the NSPA to reduce expenditure outside the national health insurance scheme and to develop a more targeted subsidy system to ensure assistance is provided more efficiently.
