IVF treatment receives Aasandha coverage

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced on Tuesday that fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), will receive coverage under the state health insurance scheme – Aasandha.

Introducing Aasandha coverage for IVF treatment had been one of President Muizzu’s electoral pledges – and one which he had promised to deliver within the first 14 weeks in office.

Speaking to press after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday evening, President Muizzu said that several important decisions were made during the meeting, including the decision to provide Aasandha coverage for fertility treatments.

“We have decided to arrange for fertility treatments including IVF treatment through Aasandha,” he said.

“We will revise Aasandha scheme’s regulations and publish it on the Gazette. We will also formulate a policy for this and announce it. How IVF and IUI treatments will be provided will be announced.”

President Muizzu said Aasandha coverage for IVF treatment will be available from not just government hospitals, but also private hospitals in the Maldives.

He also announced plans to expand the fertility center at Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), and establish additional fertility centers.

He said that the government will allocate a special budget of around MVR 30 million for it.

President Muizzu also announced that medical checkups will also receive Aasandha coverage, and the decision to provide coverage for the additional payment required when transferring between different grades of hospitals overseas.