Aasandha Insurance services have been discontinued for Manipal Hospital in New Delhi, India, following concerns over the hospital’s exorbitant rates for medical treatments, which have placed a significant financial burden on the state.
Heena Waleed, Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), which manages all state health insurance schemes, announced the decision last Monday. She stated that the discontinuation is a necessary step to address the unsustainable costs imposed by Manipal Hospital, which had become a major financial strain on the Aasandha insurance system.
“We have been receiving numerous complaints regarding the high prices at Manipal Hospital,” Heena said. “These costs have significantly exceeded the amounts covered under the Aasandha insurance scheme, leading to a considerable financial burden on the state.”
Existing patients at Manipal Hospital will be allowed to continue their treatments until a final decision is reached. However, new patients seeking treatments at the hospital will no longer be able to access the insurance service.
“People going to Manipal Hospital for follow-up cases can still receive Aasandha. A new case won’t be sent,” Heena clarified.
Introduced in 2014, the ‘Husnuvaa Aasandha’ (Limitless Aasandha) scheme aims to provide all Maldivian natives with comprehensive healthcare coverage without a cap on charges. The scheme currently includes 57 hospitals overseas, with eight located in Sri Lanka and the remainder in India. Among the 49 Indian hospitals included in the scheme, Manipal Hospital has been identified as the most expensive healthcare facility, frequently charging beyond what is reasonable or necessary.
The decision to discontinue Aasandha services at Manipal Hospital highlights the need to prevent healthcare providers from exploiting state insurance schemes. Such exploitation not only burdens the state financially but also undermines the sustainability of universal health coverage. By addressing these high costs, the NSPA is taking active measures to protect the financial interests of Maldivian citizens and ensure that healthcare remains accessible and affordable.
This move reflects a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the Husnuvaa Aasandha scheme, ensuring that it provides equitable and sustainable healthcare coverage. By negotiating better rates and holding healthcare providers accountable for their pricing, the NSPA aims to create a more just and efficient healthcare system for all Maldivians.
As deliberations continue, it is hoped that a favourable outcome will be reached, allowing Aasandha services to resume at Manipal Hospital under more reasonable terms. In the meantime, patients are encouraged to seek alternative facilities within the Aasandha network to ensure they continue receiving the necessary medical care.
