The government will introduce a 15 percent co-payment requirement under the Aasandha national health insurance scheme for individuals earning more than MVR 60,000 per month, effective January 1, 2027.
The new measure, announced by the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare, will apply to eligible individuals receiving medical services from private healthcare providers registered under the Aasandha scheme. The regulation has been published in the Government Gazette as part of the government’s efforts to improve the financial sustainability of the state-funded healthcare system.
Under the revised arrangement, individuals falling within the specified income category will be required to contribute 15 percent of the cost of eligible services obtained from private hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, optical centres and prosthetic service providers operating under Aasandha.
However, the ministry has clarified that treatment provided at government hospitals and health centres will remain fully covered, regardless of the patient’s income. Maldivians requiring medical treatment overseas through Aasandha will also continue to receive coverage in accordance with existing regulations, without being subject to the new co-payment requirement.
The regulation also provides exemptions for several categories of skilled professionals, including doctors and other medical personnel, pilots and aviation professionals, engineers, and individuals working in science-related fields. According to the ministry, these exemptions are intended to support the retention of qualified professionals in sectors considered essential to national development.
The government has described the introduction of the co-payment system as a measure to reduce unnecessary expenditure while ensuring the long-term viability of Aasandha, which provides healthcare financing and medical coverage to Maldivian citizens.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu previously stated that the proposed changes are expected to generate annual savings of approximately MVR 287 million. The government intends to redirect these funds towards essential public services and social development initiatives.
The revised system represents a change in how Aasandha-funded private healthcare services will be financed for higher-income individuals, while maintaining existing coverage arrangements for public healthcare facilities and eligible overseas medical treatment.
