Aasandha opens 100 IVF opportunities
The NSPA scheme board will determine the number of beneficiaries and the deadline for applications.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
Aasandha has announced coverage for those who wish to get In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) treatment for fertility problems free of charge.
The National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) on Friday announced that those who are having difficulty in supporting IVF and IUI treatments are invited to apply for state assistance. The opportunity to apply for the service is open from Friday until 2 pm on May 15.
According to the announcement:
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The 100 eligible couples with the highest points will be awarded the assistance
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This service will be provided by the centres in Maldives and the centres scheduled to provide this service abroad through Aasandha
Applications for this assistance can be submitted at NSPA counters set up at IGMH, Hulhumale Hospital and Mookai Suites, 4th Floor, after completing the State Assistance Application Form for those who find it difficult to meet the cost of IVF or IUI treatment.
If it's through e-mail, to NSPA, or Viber to 7291402. According to the NSPA notification, the online application process will be opened in the coming week through the Aasandha Digital Portal.
According to Aasandha, the decision on assistance will be made by:
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Within five official days of receipt of the form, Aasandha will notify the applicant by SMS or email if the application is complete or additional information and documents are required
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Within 15 official days of receipt of the application, an applicant will be notified whether the requirements of the 'Rules on Provision of IUI and IVF Treatments through Aasandha Scheme' are met or not
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Within 30 official days from the deadline for submission of applications, the beneficiaries will be notified by SMS or email
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The list will be published publicly, in a manner that does not disclose the personal information of the beneficiaries
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Those who do not receive assistance this year will have the opportunity to apply for assistance next year
The 'Rules on the Provision of IUI and IVF Treatments through the Aasandha Scheme' describes the eligible persons and the conditions for the service providers. It also includes rules on the circumstances in which treatment can be discontinued and how applications for treatment will be accepted.
The requirements for IVF treatment are:
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The couple seeking assistance must have been married for three years
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Having a medical condition that prevents you from having a natural fertility
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Infertility for three years without identifying the cause
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Other fertility treatments have failed and a specialist has recommended IVF or IUI as the most appropriate treatment
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The couple must not have a child and must not have undergone sterilisation surgery
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The wife must be 25 years of age, under 42 years of age and the husband must be under 55 years of age at the start of treatment
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Have not smoked for six months at the time of initiation of treatment
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None of the spouses is serving a three-year prison sentence for a criminal offence
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Not having previously received assistance from IVF or IUI scheme and not having completed three rounds of treatment
The rule requires that in each year’s budget, the scheme board must include the amount of money that will be spent on the service in that year. The scheme board will also determine the number of beneficiaries and the deadline for applications.
Each year, the recipients will be determined after opening to the public, and after considering the applications, those who meet the requirements in the rules and receive the highest points. The scheme board will take into consideration the age and length of marriage of the couple as well as their income.
