Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has stated that the Government is not offering optical services on a commercial basis, but rather as an affordable public health initiative.

The clarification came in response to a written question from Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim, who had asked why the Government was directly providing the service instead of regulating private providers. The MP also requested details on the costs involved in establishing and operating the new service at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

Minister Nazim explained that the optical service, launched at IGMH on 27 July, is provided under the Arsenda scheme, which allocates MVR 2,000 every two years for patients requiring prescription glasses. He noted that private optical services often impose a heavy financial burden on the public, with many individuals forced to spend thousands out of pocket despite receiving only MVR 1,000 in subsidy.

According to the minister, the IGMH service is designed not only to supply prescription glasses but also to support examinations, vision tests, early detection of conditions such as glaucoma, and in-house lens manufacturing. He added that the Government intends to expand access to affordable eye care to the atolls and make treatment options available in Maldives.

In his written response, Minister Nazim confirmed that MVR 2,060,885.24 was spent to establish the IGMH optical service, while annual operating costs are projected at MVR 3,456,212.67.