The National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) will launch five major social support programmes starting tomorrow, aimed at strengthening healthcare coverage and financial assistance for vulnerable groups. The programmes were inaugurated today by Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim and Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Dr. Mohamed Waheed, alongside senior officials.

The new initiatives include a monthly allowance of MVR 2,000 for thalassemia patients, expansion of Aasandha coverage to include all therapy services provided by private clinics and hospitals, and full Aasandha insurance coverage for mental health expenses. The programmes also include the provision of medical care to Maldivians residing in the Philippines under the Meranaa Scheme, with 65 per cent of expenditure allocated under the scheme, and an increased allowance for single parents of MVR 3,000 per child for up to four children, with a maximum of MVR 12,000.

Speaking at the ceremony, NSPA CEO Heena Waleed said the increased allowance for single parents will begin to be paid by the end of January. She noted that 2,895 single parents, supporting around 4,940 children, are currently receiving assistance under the programme. Heena said an average of MVR 4 million has been spent on single parent allowances this year, with MVR 54 million allocated by the end of November.

On therapy services, Heena said that from tomorrow Aasandha will cover all therapy-related treatments. She highlighted that by the end of this year, NSPA had assisted 14,996 people for therapy, with an average monthly expenditure of MVR 9 million in 2025 and total state spending of MVR 100 million on therapy alone. Heena added that the new measures will ease financial burdens faced by the public and confirmed that all programmes will be delivered digitally through Mind Core’s system starting tomorrow.