Maldives' Government announces expanded Aasandha coverage for eyewear services

In an interview with the Public Service Media (PMS), President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has affirmed the administration’s commitment to reforming the health sector of the Maldives by announcing the introduction of eyewear services through the Male’ City Group of Hospitals.

This initiative by the administration aims to provide the public with access to high-quality, affordable glasses, with the Aasandha allowance for eyewear set to be increased to MVR2,000. Prior to this increase, the Aasandha allowance for eyewear was set at MVR1,000, leading to citizens often times having to pay a sum of money out of pocket for their eyewear.

Further speaking on this initiative, the President explained that this decision was taken in response to public requests and a thorough evaluation of the necessary arrangements. The new service is to be launched at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and other government hospitals, with the objective of ensuring broader access to quality eyewear and curbing reliance on potentially exploitative private providers.

President Dr Muizzu underscored his commitment to public welfare, noting that his focus was on ending practices that allowed businesses to profit at the expense of citizens’ well-being. He linked the initiative to his wider public health agenda, referencing previous efforts to discourage cigarette sales in the Maldives.

Reiterating that the development of the health sector remains a top priority for his Administration, the President highlighted that projects valued at over MVR400 million are currently underway across the country. 

He also stressed the long-term importance of preventive healthcare and announced that the health sector would be the first to undergo a comprehensive digital transformation under the Government’s broader digitalisation policy.