New Aasandha Reforms to Guarantee Steady Medicine Supply Across Maldives

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has unveiled key reforms to the Aasandha system, aiming to address issues of medicine shortages and financial barriers for those relying on the scheme. These changes come after discussions during a recent Cabinet meeting and a proposal from the Ministry of Health.

Among the reforms, a mechanism will be introduced to ensure that all prescribed medicines are registered under Aasandha. A dashboard for doctors will soon be available to check the availability of medicines through the State Trading Organisation (STO). The goal is to maintain a steady supply of approved medicines in STO pharmacies, with any shortages being addressed by importing medications through foreign hospitals aligned with Aasandha.

For long-term sustainability, STO will also establish direct sourcing from manufacturers. The government plans to integrate these changes into new healthcare facilities, with four GP clinics in Malé and systems in place for islands and regional hospitals to supply medicines exclusively via Aasandha.

In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will assist with the importation of medicines, while a new digital system by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) will allow patients to track medicine availability. This system will also provide transparency and make it easier to locate medications using prescriptions.

President Muizzu emphasized that these reforms aim to protect individuals from financial difficulties while ensuring consistent access to essential medicines.