A bill has been forwarded to the Parliament of Maldives, proposing the inclusion of fertility treatment within the national health insurance scheme, Aasandha.
Member of Parliament (MP) to South Galolhu constituency Meekail Ahmed Naseem proposed the bill, highlighting that currently Maldivians seeking treatment for infertility are facing various difficulties in getting required regular medications from the country.
MP Meekail said that several basic medications prescribed for infertility are not available under the national health insurance scheme, Aasandha, and it is extremely difficult to consult fertility specialists in the Maldives. Meekail added that there are no proper research or data available on this pressing issue.
MP Meekail’s bill called for a solution that falls within the economical means of the country. The purpose of the bill is to partially cover the process of IVF under Aasandha and to include preliminary treatments such as medication therapies, surgical procedures under Aasandha, according to MP Meekail.
As debate continues on the bill, several MPs have spoken in support for the proposed amendment and also called for more research on the causes of infertility among Maldivians.
