IGMH to begin sale of eyeglasses to combat private sector exploitation

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to run a government-owned eyewear service out of the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) – a decision that he said was aimed at combating consumer exploitation by the private sector.

Earlier this week, President Muizzu had announced the decision to increase the annual Aasandha coverage for prescription glasses from MVR 1,000 to MVR 2,000. The change is set to take effect on Sunday.

In an interview to Public Service Media (PSM) on Saturday, he also announced plans to establish an eyewear service through the Male’ City Group of Hospitals – which manages the public hospitals in the Maldivian capital, including IGMH.

President Muizzu said the establishment of a government-run eyewear service will ensure people have access to high-quality eyeglasses at affordable rates.

He said the decision is also designed to prevent private businesses from exploiting consumers and taking advantage of the higher Aasandha limit for eyeglasses.

“I will not allow any sector to take advantage of this [higher Aasandha limit]. When the limit is raised from MVR 1,000 to MVR 2,000, they get the chance to sell the same old cheap frames. We will begin this service out of IGMH,” he said.

President Muizzu said that he made the decision at the request of the people, and after making necessary considerations.

“We don’t care how much this upsets private businesses involved in eyewear services,” he said.

President Muizzu said that he wishes to erase unfair and exploitative business practices in the Maldives.

He reaffirmed his commitment to improving the Maldivian healthcare system – something which he stressed is linked to everything else.

“We are looking to strengthen the healthcare system in a holistic manner, whether it is by increasing human resources, building infrastructure, procuring equipment and machinery or improving the quality of consumables,” he said.

President Muizzu said that his administration is currently running projects worth MVR 400 million to improve healthcare across the country.