Petition calls for MPs' health insurance benefits to be extended to all Maldivians

A petition has been submitted to Parliament calling for the state-funded health insurance scheme provided to members of Parliament to be extended to all Maldivian citizens.

The petition follows an earlier campaign demanding the removal of the premium health insurance package provided to MPs at public expense.

Midhuaam Saud, founder of the Aamunge Jamiyya association, submitted the earlier petition through Parliament's e-petition portal, securing more than 7,000 signatures.

Under Parliament's e-petition regulations, petitions receiving at least 2,100 signatures must be debated in the parliamentary chamber.

During the debate on the earlier petition, Ibrahim Falah, parliamentary group leader of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), argued that the Aasandha healthcare scheme was causing financial losses to the state, while the insurance scheme provided to MPs was financially beneficial.

Following Falah's remarks, Midhuaam submitted another petition through Parliament's e-petition portal, calling for the insurance benefits enjoyed by MPs to be made available to the public.

The new petition argues that if the insurance scheme provided to MPs offers greater financial benefits to the state and citizens, as Falah suggested, it would be unreasonable to continue providing Aasandha to the public while restricting the insurance scheme to parliamentarians.

It states that the government has a legal responsibility to operate health insurance schemes that minimise public expenditure and financial losses while maximising benefits.

Referring to Falah's comments, the petition calls for the health insurance scheme available to MPs to be extended to all citizens as soon as possible to reduce expenditure and financial losses.

MPs currently receive a state-funded health insurance package covering treatment in 19 countries across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

The insurance arrangements are provided under the Parliamentary Privileges and Powers Act.

Under the financial benefits provisions of the legislation, every MP, their spouse and children under the age of 18 must be enrolled in a medical insurance scheme providing access to treatment in the Maldives, SAARC countries and ASEAN member states.

The legislation also provides for former MPs to receive medical treatment under a health insurance scheme similar to that available to serving parliamentarians.

The earlier petition seeking to abolish the insurance scheme was submitted while Parliament was discussing proposals to expand the benefits available to MPs.

During those discussions, a parliamentary committee meeting examining the insurance arrangements was held behind closed doors, with the explanation that the public would not be interested in a matter concerning benefits provided to MPs.