Government aims to return Aasandha to its 30-year-old traditional roots: Dr. Didi
21 އޮކްޓޯބަރު 2026 | ބުދަ 15:22Dr. Didi stated that while Aasandha is a legal right funded by taxpayers, the current administration is attempting to restrict the service and revert to the former culture of "begging for prescriptions." He further noted that despite the government's efforts to portray Aasandha as an act of presidential benevolence, such attempts will fail due to the high level of public awareness.
Former MDP President Dr. Ibrahim Didi (DD) speaking during RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program. | RaajjeMV
Former President of the MDP, Dr. Ibrahim Didi, has stated that the government is currently working to revert the Aasandha healthcare scheme to a culture reminiscent of the 30-year long previous administration.
Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program, Dr. Didi stated that the Aasandha budget is not a discretionary allocation granted through the benevolence of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, but is instead funded directly by the taxpayers' money. He further noted that during both MDP administrations, the necessary legislative frameworks were established to ensure the continuity of the service, thereby securing and delivering these rights to the citizens.
Dr. Didi noted that despite President Muizzu's attempts to restrict those opportunities, such efforts would not succeed. He emphasized that today's citizens are highly informed and understand that the services provided through Aasandha are an entitlement funded by their own money. He further stated that the public is well aware that both MDP administrations had legally established and facilitated this framework.
That budget is not an allocation granted through the personal benevolence of President Muizzu. It is a budget specifically mandated and funded by the taxpayers' money.Dr. Ibrahim Didi (DD)
However, Dr. Didi stated that President Muizzu is attempting to distort that reality. He further noted that the government is working to frame the Aasandha service as an act of personal benevolence from the President.
Reflecting on the political culture of previous administrations, Dr. Didi stated that during the 30-year rule, the country was defined by a culture of begging for medical prescriptions.
He stated that during that era, regardless of the severity of the illness, patients were forced to submit letters to the presidential palace, appeal directly to the leader, and beg through high-ranking officials just to secure a sum of around $200 for treatment. Dr. Didi noted that current efforts to overhaul the Aasandha scheme are steering the system back toward such a culture.
