Insurance package for MPs will benefit the state and the public: MP Falah

The special health insurance package arranged for Members of Parliament will ease the burden on the state budget and benefit both the public and the state, said Ibrahim Falah, the MP for the Inguraidhoo constituency.

Falah made these remarks speaking at today’s sitting of the People’s Majlis regarding an e-petition submitted to the Parliament by a member of the public calling to cancel the special health insurance provided from the state budget to MPs and their families, and to transition members to receive Aasandha services like ordinary citizens.

MP Falah stated that when taking action, it is important to submit such petitions after properly examining how things work, and in a manner that does not harm peace and harmony among the country's citizens.

Emphasizing the need to understand how the insurance system functions, Falah said that this package opts out of the Aasandha system and reduces state expenditure.

"This package is taken by a member from the People’s Majlis. In reality, when taken, the state benefits more from this. The public benefits more. The reason is that for each member of our Parliament, the state pays MVR 24,000 per year to the insurance company. Beyond that 24,000 Rufiyaa, the Maldivian state does not have to spend a single Laari on a member of the Parliament," Falah said.

Falah further stated that through this system, the state saves MVR 1,350,000 annually that would otherwise have to be spent through Aasandha.

He also noted that tickets, accommodation, and food/beverage expenses are not covered when seeking treatment abroad, and most of the time bills have to be submitted after paying out of pocket.

"Submitting such petitions in a way that creates discord between the public and the members sitting in Parliament is actually very regrettable. There are much better things to do than this. There are much better things. A lot of effort has been made here to sow discord among the public," he added.

The e-petition submitted to the Parliament requests the abolition of the lifetime VIP health insurance provided under the Parliamentary Privileges and Powers Act to current members, former members, and their spouses and children, covering 19 countries including the Maldives, SAARC, and ASEAN nations.

The petition noted that between 2015 and 2025 alone, approximately MVR 100 million was spent from the state budget on members' insurance premiums.

Stating that providing such special benefits from public tax money that ordinary citizens do not receive is unacceptable, the petition calls for making members receive healthcare through the Aasandha and NSPA systems just like ordinary citizens.

The reason given is that efforts to improve the country's basic health system can only be made when MPs also experience the hardships suffered by ordinary citizens.