Parliament committee recommends Aasandha cover for infertility treatment
The committee recommends to amend Aasandha and include treatment for infertility in the scheme.
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By
Mariyam Umna Ismail
The parliamentary committee on social justice has recommended that the national insurance scheme cover infertility treatment at government hospitals.
The committee's recommendation came after the review of a resolution moved by South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem calling for a national-level study and expansion of medical facilities under Aasandha in view of the increasing incidence of infertility in the Maldives. In the resolution, Meekail called:
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To conduct a nation-level study
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To expand access to treatment through Aasandha scheme
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To make some basic medicines easily available in the country
During the review, the committee summoned the concerned authorities.
Health ministry
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Maldives' fertility rate was 2.5 in 2009, but decreased to 2.1 in 2016 and 2017; so the population ratio did not increase from one generation to the next, according to the Maldives Demographic and Health Survey
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Private sector is gearing up to start infertility treatment services; it is recommended that prices be lower than foreign prices
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The private sector needs to revise the existing price packages; for example, for a bill of MVR 1,000, MVR 500 is charged from the patient.
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Discussions are underway to formulate guidelines on how to provide treatment and all related investigations through Aasandha for infertility before using assisted reproductive technology services.
IGMH
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Only one in 10 or 15 patients were treated for infertility
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For this problem, it is difficult to provide services as there is no set-up to provide ovulation induction and follicular monitoring services as part of the special treatment currently provided at the hospital
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It will take six to 12 months to get the space and budget required to set up a separate clinic and assisted reproductive technology centre specifically for infertility treatment
ADK
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Efforts are on to set up a dedicated centre
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It is expected to take at least a year or so
Tree Top Hospital
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The hospital has equipment to treat infertility and facilities for hormonal testing
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It provides diagnostics services and surgical procedures
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But the services are not covered under Aasandha
Aasandha
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Infertility is not only a serious matter but also causes a lot of social issues to the society; in the long run, it can increase the financial and other burdens on the state
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Different from the way the problem of infertility is dealt with in different countries, it has been practiced in the Maldives since time immemorial that the issue is not part of health care; that is the practice in the United States as well
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There needs to be a set of rules for this within the Aasandha; and financial social assistance provision, such as national fertility care funds, as in other countries, should be made
The committee, which examined the resolution seeking ease of access to treatment for infertility, pointed out that one of the most important aspects of the committee's report was to amend Aasandha and include treatment for infertility in the scheme. The committee has also pointed out that:
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A national-level study led by the concerned ministry is needed to find out if infertility-related factors are contributing to the decline in fertility rate in the country
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Government hospitals set up across the country should make arrangements for treatment of infertility
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