Aasandha expanded to optical prescriptions issued by private clinics and optical shops

Aasandha Company, on Thursday, has announced the expansion of Asasandha coverage to optical prescriptions issues by a large number of private clinics and optical shops.

On December 31st, National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) announced the expansion of Asasandha coverage to optical prescriptions issues by private clinics and optical stops effective of January 15th.

Accordingly, Aasandha, on Thursday, announced that the change has come into effect. As per the announcement, Aasandha coverage will be extended to eye refraction prescriptions issued by an Aasandha-registered ophthalmologists at private clinic or optical shop registered for Aasandha services.

The publicized list includes 18 establishments in total. They are:

• ADK Hospital
• Advance Eye Clinic
• Advance Medical Clinic
• AIMS Diagnostic Care
• Azmi Naeem Medical and Diagnostic Centre (AMDC)
• City Optical Clinic
• EyeCare Clinic
• EyeCare Clinic Hulhumale' Branch
• EyeCare Hospital
• EyeCare Hospital Hulhumale' Annex
• Farook HealthCare
• Maldicare
• Medica Hospital
• Noosandha
• Senahiya
• Tree Top Hospital
• Vision Clinic
• Public health facilities

According to NSPA, the changes were made to allow people to easily obtain prescription glasses.

There has long been public concern over the cost of prescription glasses sold by private businesses in the Maldives. To help reduce the financial burden on consumers, the government last June increased the Aasandha subsidy for prescription glasses from MVR 1,000 to MVR 2,000 every two years. In addition, free optical shops have been established at the government’s main hospital, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, and at Hulhumale’ Hospital.

However, some people have expressed concern that increased government involvement private businesses.