The Maldivian government has announced plans to transition the current medical welfare schemes for members of the Maldives Police Service and Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) to a private insurance model, starting early next year.

The existing welfare schemes, which provide unlimited medical coverage for security personnel and their families, will be phased out in favor of a structured private insurance package.

This decision, detailed in the Finance Ministry’s 2025 budget report, follows concerns about potential misuse within the current welfare arrangements.

The ministry pointed out that security personnel have access to multiple overlapping healthcare options, including Aasandha, private insurance, and government-backed welfare schemes, which creates opportunities for duplicate claims on single medical services.

Additionally, the welfare program for security services covers certain consumable and cosmetic procedures, typically excluded from standard health insurance plans.

This, the Finance Ministry noted, contributes to excessive spending and detracts from the government’s ability to prioritize resources for those in genuine need, undermining the goals of social protection.

Under the new structure, the government will provide standard healthcare coverage through Aasandha if personnel exhaust the private insurance limit.

The ministry confirmed that the state will continue to fully cover medical expenses for injuries sustained while on duty, ensuring comprehensive support for personnel affected by work-related incidents.

The shift to private insurance aims to enhance efficiency and prevent wasteful spending, aligning with broader fiscal responsibility goals.