Aasandha reforms to begin in October
The Finance Minister repeatedly said that the changes can only be brought about after explaining things to the people as clearly as possible.
By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
While the budget has proposed reforms in Aasandha and subsidies by the middle of the year, these changes will have to be done after due consideration and policies are being formulated and implemented for the purpose, Finance Minister Dr Mohamed Shafeeg said on Wednesday.
Speaking to the Finance Committee of the Parliament, the Minister said that work is now underway to provide information to the people about the changes in Aasandha in October.
The changes can only be brought about after explaining things to the people as much as possible, the Finance Minister said.
Speaking to the committee, Finance Deputy Minister Ahmed Saeed Musthafa said the government's expenditure cutting policy would be changed to minimise the impact on the public.
He said the aim is to strengthen the social security system and provide more secure and comprehensive services to those in need.
"The transition to the system is achieving two things. One is that the cost is being reduced significantly, along with the quality of service being improved," he said.
The changes to Aasandha will give the government an opportunity to further expand and strengthen the health system in Maldives, he said.
"The problem now is that there are pending bills in the industry. That is because the state hospitals are not able to provide some services," he said.
The Finance Minister repeatedly said that the public should be aware of the changes in Aasandha.
"Not repeating some tests only. We need to ascertain that some kinds of surgeries and medications given are the right amount required, to use them," he said.
The implementation of the changes in Aasandha will start in October, he said.
"The government does not want any of these services to be difficult for the people. The change should be very well communicated," Shafeeg said.
The National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), which runs Aasandha, has said that those who have their own insurance package from October 1 will be able to avail the services of Aasandha only after their insurance is deducted from the bill..
NSPA said the changes are to reduce the expenditure of double insurance.
