Aasandha Company Limited has revealed it has spent USD 78 million in the first seven months of 2021.
Speaking to PSM News, General Manager of Aasandha Aminath Zeeniya said over 300,000 individuals have used the national health insurance scheme so far this year. The most of the individuals used health insurance to receive services from hospitals and clinics, which amounts to USD 38 million, she detailed.
The second highest expenditure comes from providing medicine at pharmacies and medical consumables, which amounts to USD 30 million. The national health insurance company stated it has also sent 2,817 individuals abroad for medical treatment and the total expenditure for their treatments amounts to USD 6.6 million.
Additionally, Zeeniya said Aasandha has facilitated domestic medical evacuations from islands for 2,370 individuals, which has cost USD 1.8 million. She said current trends of medical costs shows the rate of spread of transmissible diseases have been somewhat controlled but the rate of non-transmissible diseases have increased, which includes cancer, and diabetes. The number of people travelling abroad increased after the country reopened its borders and that most of them travelled to receive treatment for cancer and urinary problems, she further said.
Aasandha has been working to expand its services since its establishment in 2011. The company has stated its services are currently available at 687 establishments both in the Maldives and abroad. As such, national health insurance is available at all government hospitals, health centres, and over 300 pharmacies including all pharmacies owned by State Trading Organisation (STO).