The Parliament on Wednesday passed an amendment to the Aasandha scheme to make it mandatory for social health insurance schemes to include treatment for infertility.

The decision was taken by the Parliament's Social Committee following a motion moved by South Galolhu MP Mikhail Ahmed Naseem demanding that Aasandha be provided for the treatment of fertility problems. The decision was passed by the Parliament with 45 of the 47 members present in today's sitting voting.

The resolution also recommended that government hospitals set up across the country should make arrangements for the treatment of infertility, and that a national-level study should be initiated by the concerned ministry to find out if infertility-related factors are involved in the decline in the country's fertility rate.

Pointing out that this was an important change, the Aasandha company said, "Section 18(c) of the Aasandha scheme regulation, gazetted on February 28, 2015, defines infertility-related treatment as a service that cannot be availed through the Aasandha scheme.

It was also pointed out that in case of any infertility issues, if a doctor has written it as a disease, the Aasandha scheme does not bear the cost of any service related to the treatment.

However, it has been observed in some cases that the doctor's visit to diagnose infertility issues, the conduct of tests and some medicines are available through the Aasandha scheme.