The Malé City Group of Hospitals (MCGH) has announced plans to open a Government-operated optical shop in Kulhudhuffushi City tomorrow as part of efforts to expand access to affordable prescription glasses under the Aasandha health insurance scheme.

The optical shop will be inaugurated by Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim. The service forms part of a Government initiative to reduce the cost of prescription glasses and improve access to vision care services across the atolls.

MCGH said the Kulhudhuffushi optical shop will be the fourth Government-operated optical outlet under its management and the second to be established outside the Greater Malé Region. MCGH currently operates optical shops at Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and Hulhumalé Hospital, while the first atoll-based optical shop was opened at Addu Equatorial Hospital.

The initiative follows a policy decision by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to expand affordable access to prescription glasses through the Aasandha scheme, in response to public concerns over the high cost of vision care services. Under the expanded coverage, beneficiaries are able to obtain prescription glasses through Government-operated optical shops within the Aasandha subsidy framework.

The Government has also extended Aasandha coverage to include selected private optical shops and clinics, allowing beneficiaries to obtain prescription glasses from 18 service providers nationwide since 15 January 2026. In addition, the subsidy for prescription glasses under Aasandha was increased from MVR 1,000 to MVR 2,000 in June last year, further easing the financial burden on households.