People’s National Congress (PNC) Senator Heena Waleed has stated that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s Administration is actively working to resolve long-standing issues that had remained unaddressed by previous governments.

Speaking at the PNC’s mega rally tonight, she outlined several welfare initiatives introduced over the past two years by the Administration.

Heena noted that since health insurance schemes were first introduced in the Maldives, Aasandha had never included coverage for prescription glasses. She said this had created significant financial pressure for people, as eyesight is an essential need. The current Administration, she said, eased this pressure by introducing an additional MVR 2,000 allowance for prescription glasses.

Turning to thalassaemia care, Heena described the sector as one that had been overlooked for years. The Government funded bone marrow transplants for 19 patients who are now in recovery, and an additional 10 patients are currently undergoing the procedure abroad. Many of those in the first group were over 18 years old, which she said pointed to long-standing inaction. A new allowance for thalassaemia patients has been planned for next year, and Heena noted that President Dr Muizzu visited the thalassaemia centre to assess its condition, which she said had not been done by a President in many years.

Heena also spoke on the expansion of Aasandha coverage to include IUI and IVF treatments. She highlighted that Dharumavantha Hospital’s advanced fertility centre now provides these services free of charge, supported by a fertility care trust fund that has already recorded 23 successful cases. Coverage for endometriosis treatment has also been strengthened under Aasandha.

Beyond healthcare, Heena said the Administration is implementing important social reforms, including an increase to the single parent allowance beginning next January. She also highlighted efforts to empower women, such as expanding access to business loans, strengthening Women’s Development Committees, increasing women’s representation on boards and creating more opportunities for women in political leadership.