Amendment proposed to Pension Act for seriously ill individuals

A significant amendment to the Pension Act has been proposed in Parliament, aiming to provide pension payments for individuals undergoing treatment for serious illnesses, including cancer.

This amendment seeks to address a critical gap in existing legislation and alleviate the substantial financial and psychological burdens faced by these patients and their families.

Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) formally submitted a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Abdul Raheem Abdullah, highlighting the absence of clear provisions within the current Pension Act for those suffering from severe health conditions.

MP Kudu stated, "There is no mechanism for early access to pensions based on medical prognosis, and this vacuum has forced people suffering from such diseases and their families to bear heavy financial and psychological burden."

To rectify this, MP Kudu has proposed an amendment that would mandate the Pension Office to establish a team of specialist doctors. This team would be responsible for confirming serious illnesses and issuing medical certificates, enabling individuals to receive their pensions as swiftly as possible, irrespective of their age or years of service.

Furthermore, the proposed amendment would compel the state to prioritize these individuals, ensuring that pensioners receive their payments within 30 days of application.

In a related development, Minister of Islamic Affairs Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed announced in late June that insurance coverage will be introduced with the start of the Hijri New Year. This insurance will specifically cater to the medical treatment of individuals on the poverty register who suffer from chronic diseases such as cancer.

The Minister confirmed that this decision was made in collaboration with Allied Insurance. He further elaborated that the insurance initiative aims to cover expenses not typically included by Aasandha, thereby facilitating access to treatment and vital medicines from abroad, ultimately to preserve lives.