Former President of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Dr. Ibrahim Didi has stated that private clinics still do not have access to Aasandha services, in spite of the Government’s decision to reinstate the service to private health service providers.

Speaking in a press conference held on Monday, Dr. Didi said that this was again another example of how the Government was stifling the public, adding that this was deeply saddening. He said the decision to exclude private health service providers from Aasandha scheme was retribution for the loss from Saturday’s Local Council Elections.

Dr. Didi added that if the Government had “no inclination” that such a decision had been taken, the individuals who had claimed as such, must be held accountable. Noting that 70 percent of health services are provided by private companies, Dr. Didi said IGMH, Hulhumale’ Hospital and Vilimale’ Hospital are incapable of catering to the needs of all the public.

He added that private health service providers catered to the much needed services. The decision to slash the Aasandha services, he said, greatly inconvenienced the public.

“Though President Yameen had announced that the decision had been reversed, private sector health service providers still do not have access to it,” he said.