Aasandha Company Limited has revealed USD 27.4 million was spent to provide prescription medicine during the lockdown imposed in the Greater Male' Region.
Speaking to PSM News, Assistant General Manager Aminath Zeeniya said Aasandha spent over USD 45 million in total during the lockdown. She said many individuals used the national health insurance scheme to buy non-essential medicine after consultations during the lockdown.
Noting such acts are irresponsible, Zeeniya assured probes into such cases are underway by the fraud investigations department of the company. She said the company is working with the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) to call patients and verify the authenticity of such transactions.
Zeeniya further called on the public to take individual responsibility in managing state funds, noting some individuals have purchased non-essential medicine enough for over 9 months. She revealed matters such as failure to consult doctors after making memos, tests and appointments are common, adding such actions waste state funds.
Aasandha is the state-owned national health insurance services provider tasked with administering and managing national health insurance scheme. During the lockdown, the company eased its procedures on attaining prescription medicine and made arrangements for individuals with long term illnesses to obtain medicine without doctor prescriptions.