The government has suspended Aasandha Health Insurance for all health facilities that are not state-owned. 

Aasandha, Maldives’ national health scheme, said that the decision was made due to ongoing amendments to regulations as to how the welfare scheme is to be implemented. 

A statement from the Aasandha Corporation said that the public health care scheme is established through a yearly contract and that the terms agreed upon at the beginning of 2016 had been scheduled to expire this year. 

Aasandha will continue to provide treatment for inpatients and outpatients as well as cover laboratory investigations and scans at state-owned centers. 

The company has cautioned those currently undergoing treatment at outlets that will no longer be covered by the health insurance scheme can apply for an extension within the next 30 days. 

While Aasandha was established under former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration, one of incumbent President Abdulla Yameen’s campaign pledges was to ensure that insurance coverage is unlimited.