Aasandha medical services have been stopped at Lanka Hospital in Sri Lanka after the Maldivian government failed to pay outstanding bills, creating serious difficulties for Maldivians living abroad.
Lanka Hospital has ceased accepting Aasandha patients after unpaid bills reached around 70 million Sri Lankan Rupees, equivalent to approximately MVR 3.3 million. Due to these unpaid dues, negotiations between Lanka Hospital and Aasandha to renew their contract failed, leading to the suspension of services.
Maldivians in Sri Lanka Affected
This decision directly affects around 1,800 Maldivians living in Sri Lanka, many of whom rely on Aasandha for medical treatment. Until now, Aasandha services were available at three hospitals in Sri Lanka:
- Lanka Hospital
- Durdans Hospital
- Nawaloka Hospital
With Lanka Hospital no longer providing Aasandha services, patients now have fewer choices, longer waiting times, and added stress when seeking medical care.
What Is the Merana Scheme?
Sri Lanka is one of the countries included under the ‘Merana’ scheme, which allows Maldivians living overseas to access Aasandha-funded medical treatment. The suspension of services at a major hospital like Lanka Hospital raises concerns about the reliability of healthcare support for Maldivians abroad.
Billions Spent on Healthcare, Yet Payments Unsettled
According to a recent Auditor General’s Office report, between 2019 and 2024, the Maldivian government spent MVR 35.8 billion on medical treatment. This amounts to an average of MVR 5.9 billion per year.
Out of this total, MVR 16 billion was spent under the Aasandha scheme alone. Despite this massive spending, the failure to settle relatively small unpaid bills has now resulted in service disruptions that directly affect ordinary citizens.
Warnings Ignored on Medical Subsidies
International financial institutions have long advised the Maldives to better target subsidies, including medical assistance, so that support reaches low-income and vulnerable groups. However, no administration has implemented these recommendations, leading to rising costs, inefficiencies, and now visible service failures.
Growing Concerns Over Aasandha Management
The stoppage of Aasandha services at Lanka Hospital highlights serious concerns about the management of the scheme, especially for Maldivians living overseas. Patients and families are now questioning whether the system can continue to provide reliable healthcare access when payments to hospitals remain delayed.
As healthcare costs continue to rise, many fear that more hospitals could suspend services unless urgent action is taken to clear outstanding bills and reform the system.
