Free medical check-up now available for people aged 50 and above

In accordance with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to facilitate free medical check-ups – Aasandha, on Monday, has begun offering free medical check-ups for people aged 50 and above.

Facilitating free medical check-ups for every individual, twice a year, through Aasandha, is an electoral pledge of President Muizzu, and one of his administration's first 14-week goals. 

National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), on Monday, said people above the age of 50 can now do free medical check-ups through Aasandha, adding individuals who are required to undergo a second medical check-up can do so for free through Aasandha with documentation from a doctor.

Although free medical check-ups are presently only available to people aged 50 and above;

•         Starting April 1^st, people aged between 35 years and 49 years can do the free medical check-up
•         Also starting April 1^st, below aged 19
•         Starting July 1, people aged between 19 and 34 hours can do the free medical check-up

People who are 50 and above can now name note for medical check-ups at their desired health institution. Once the appointment is finalized, the person must undergo the medical check-up on the set date. Free medical check-ups will only be available at state hospitals.

722661 can be contacted to make appointments for medical check-ups.

The main state hospital, IGMH’s CEO Abdul Razzaq Haleem on Monday said the hospital has planned to establish a special clinic for the purpose to cater for the demand as the service expands, adding such a clinic has already been established at Hulhumale’ Hospital. 

“The hospital will brief the patient on all the preparations they will have to undertake. They can then come in on the date of the appointment and press the button allotted for health check-up to take a token. When they go to the counter with it, the memo will be done and they will be guided to where the health check-up will take place,” he detailed.

The purpose of the medical check-up is to identify any early signs of health issues. 

Speaking at a press conference announcing the implementation of free medical check-ups on Monday morning, NSPA’s CEO Heena Waleed said the data collected through this program will strengthen the government’s policies on the provision of health services.

NSPA’s policy on the program dictates that every individual can use the medical check-up package formulated for their age group once every year. Individuals who are advised by doctors to undergo a second medical check-up in the same year, can do so under the program as well.

Aasandha will be marking the medical check-up complete once all services listed on the package have been sought. Health institutions will share the results of the check-ups with NSPA, in accordance with the regulations set out by the agency.