Maldives Parliamentary Committee to Explore Universal Health Insurance Following Public Petition

The Finance Committee of the People's Majlis has decided to conduct a study on a sustainable way to provide health insurance to all citizens, following a public petition calling for the removal of special insurance for members of parliament and other senior officials. The committee approved the proposal during its meeting on Monday, after discussing a petition submitted by social media activist Midhu'am Sa'ud. The petition, which gathered over 7,225 signatures, was submitted on August 12, 2026, and demanded an end to the exclusive health insurance scheme for MPs, ministers, judges, and heads of independent institutions, and instead called for a universal scheme. The proposal to study a sustainable system was put forward by MP Ahmed Azan Marzooq (PNC, Hithadhoo Medhu constituency), who argued that instead of simply cutting MPs' insurance, the committee should examine how to provide affordable and sustainable coverage for everyone. He noted that many officials even keep their insurance after retirement, which he described as unfair. The proposal received support from MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed (MDP, Hulhumale Dhekunu constituency), who agreed that a study by the committee would be beneficial. The committee unanimously passed the proposal to study a way to provide health insurance that does not burden the public and is sustainable in the long term. The move comes as the national health insurance scheme Aasan-dha faces criticism. The petition had described Aasan-dha as harmful to both the state and the public, and urged the government to instead implement a cost-effective and beneficial health insurance scheme that fulfills its legal responsibility.