Over 5,000 signatures collected for petition calling for abolition of high-end health insurance packages currently provided to MPs
20 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | ބުރާސްފަތި 13:42A petition calling for the abolition of the high-cost state-funded health insurance provided to Members of Parliament has surpassed the required number of signatures for parliamentary consideration. The petition argues that granting lawmakers exclusive benefits unavailable to the general public is unacceptable and expresses growing concern over the escalating annual expenditure incurred by the state for this service.
President Muizzu delivers the Presidential Address at the opening session of the People's Majlis. | Presidents Office
More than 5,000 people have signed a petition calling for the abolition of the high-end health insurance packages provided to Members of Parliament.
The petition, launched on August 12 by Midhuam Saudh, founder of the NGO 'Aanmuge Jamiyya,' asserts that providing parliamentarians with a health insurance scheme funded by taxpayers—which is unavailable to the general public—is inconsistent with any mature political system. It further notes that such a practice is not observed even in nations significantly wealthier than the Maldives.
As of August 20, the petition has garnered 5,219 signatures. Consequently, it has already surpassed the required threshold to be presented and debated on the floor of the People's Majlis for a formal decision. According to parliamentary regulations, any petition signed by more than 2,100 individuals must be officially processed and addressed by the Majlis.
A petition is referred to the relevant committee only after it has been debated on the parliament floor and a vote has been taken to formally accept it. Following this, the committee reviews the petition and determines a response or a course of action, which is then submitted back to the floor for final consideration.
Article 7(a) of the Parliamentary Privileges and Powers Act (Law No. 5/2013) stipulates that every Member of Parliament, along with their spouse and children under the age of 18, must be enrolled in a medical insurance scheme that provides healthcare coverage within the Maldives, as well as in SAARC and ASEAN countries. Furthermore, Article 8 (Service Benefits), Section (l) of the same Act mandates that any individual who has served as a Member of Parliament shall be entitled to medical treatment under a health insurance scheme equivalent to that provided to sitting members.
Furthermore, nearly 100 million Rufiyaa has been spent on health insurance premiums for Members of Parliament between 2015 and 2025. The petition highlights that these costs are projected to multiply annually, as the state is mandated to provide lifelong health insurance coverage to every member upon the completion of their parliamentary term.
