Heena: Close to expanding Aasandha to UAE and Thailand

Heena Waleed, the CEO of the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), told the Parliament’s Social Affairs Committee on Tuesday that the government is close to expanding Aasandha coverage for medical care from hospitals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Thailand.

Heena, who was summoned by the committee on Tuesday for questioning regarding rates of services and medicine provided under the public health insurance scheme, noted that providing Aasandha coverage from UAE and Thailand is one of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s pledges.

She said that government is close to delivering the pledge.

“Aasandha is collaborating with hospitals in UAE and Thailand, and we have reached the point where we will be able to proceed with some of these parties. We will be releasing information regarding the data when this service will be initiated along with other details soon,” she said.

In a press briefing on January 13, following a state visit to China, President Muizzu said his administration plans to expand Aasandha services to countries that offer better quality medical care services, including the UAE and Thailand.

“In the future, Aasandha will not be restricted to medical facilities in specific countries in a specific region, but will be expanded to countries that offer better services such as UAE and Thailand,” he said, while speaking to reporters from the Velana International Airport.

He also announced plans to provide Aasandha coverage for accommodation as well.

Aasandha services are currently available overseas in select medical facilities in neighboring Sri Lanka and India.