Aasandha ends eases allowed during COVID-19 pandemic

The state insurance provider, Aasandha has revoked the eases it allowed in services in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aasandha had rolled out changes in consultations and issuance of prescription drugs under the insurance scheme. It included accepting national ID card numbers instead of physical presentation of national ID cards to make doctor’s appointments.

However, the company has now revoked the changes following the improvement in the COVID-19 situation in Maldives.

Patients now need to present an original or copy of national ID card or passport to receive Aasandha insurance services.

During the pandemic, Aasandha had also allowed for patients on long-term medication to take out drugs on the same prescription for a second time, without needing to renew their prescription.

The allowance is no longer in place.

Patients will only be issued drugs once for each prescription, and will need to renew their prescription to take out more doses.

Additionally, Aasandha insurance covers only e-prescriptions, and prescriptions written by hand will not receive insurance.

Aasandha said that online consultations will hereafter be available only from medical facilities that provide services through the Vinavi Portal.

Patients who use online consultations who require additional services must make the request via Vinavi Portal.

No additional services will be available without registering on Vinavi first.