The Maldivian government is upgrading the Aasandha Portal to address concerns over rising expenditures associated with the universal healthcare insurance scheme, according to an announcement by the national healthcare insurance provider, Aasandha Company Ltd.

Aasandha, which offers comprehensive healthcare coverage to all citizens, has faced increasing financial strain as state spending on the scheme has exceeded budgetary allocations in recent years. Official figures reveal that the Government currently spends over USD 194.5 million annually on Aasandha, necessitating additional funds beyond the national budget.

In response, the Administration in collaboration with Aasandha, is implementing measures to curb unnecessary costs. Mariyam Fiyaza, Manager of the Medical Investigation Section at Aasandha, stated that the portal is being enhanced to tackle inefficiencies such as repeated medical tests.

“We are upgrading the Aasandha portal as part of our cost reduction efforts. There have been instances where [medical] tests have been repeated. With the new changes to the portal, those issues can be resolved. Currently, the portal does not display the results of tests, so individual responsibility is also required. When consulting a doctor, it is crucial for the patient to bring their medical records,” she said.

The upgrades will also introduce new monitoring mechanisms for pharmacies. Pharmacies will be flagged if the same medications are dispensed repeatedly to a single individual, requiring them to justify such transactions. To prevent abuse, a dispense code system will be implemented, ensuring medications are issued only to verified recipients. This measure aims to prevent patients from sending others to collect prescriptions on their behalf.

Fiyaza emphasised the need for individual responsibility in reducing costs. Patients are urged to report discrepancies, such as receiving notifications of consultations they did not attend, or appointments that were cancelled. The updated portal will also notify patients of cancelled transactions to enhance transparency.

The government hopes that these reforms will address inefficiencies and curb the rising costs associated with the Aasandha scheme, while maintaining the comprehensive healthcare coverage that remains a cornerstone of the country's healthcare policy.