The government is yet to make a decision on the date on which the state health insurance scheme, Aasandha, will be provided for seeking medical services in UAE and Thailand.
Social and Family Development Minister Dr. Aishath Shiham refused to disclose a date when repeatedly questioned by MPs in Parliament today. She said the government was working to begin the service as soon as possible.
Several MPs expressed dissatisfaction over the response and reframed the questions in order to find an exact date decided by the government.
"'As soon as possible', that is not an answer we can give to the people. The President has said earlier, that Aasandha will be available in Thailand and UAE. When is that day? When will this be done?" Medhu Henveiru MP Ali Azim said.
In response, the minister said the most important part of such an initiative is to ensure that services can be sustained.
"When doing this kind of work, the most important thing is to develop a sustainable system, as I said earlier. We have to work very carefully to prepare such a system that will not have to be changed after a while. But along with that, it is important for everyone to know the dates," she said.
The minister said research is currently underway to arrange for Aasandha coverage in UAE and Thailand and that they were working to complete it as soon as possible.
"With the work being done now, that is researching these countries and the costs, we will share this information as soon as possible."
Henveiru South MP Hussain Shaheem said the minister's response was too vague and elaborated on the question again.
