hajam.ai
7 September 2026

Health

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced on 7 September 2026 that it has been decided to reform the Aasandha system such that completely free Aasandha service will be discontinued for those earning an income of more than 60,000 Rufiyaa per month, requiring them to pay a co-payment or an annual fee starting this coming October. The President stated that policies regarding this change, which aims to save approximately 287 million Rufiyaa annually from the state budget, will be disclosed by the Ministry of Finance and relevant authorities.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced at a press conference held on 7 September 2026 that efforts are underway to limit Aasandha services so that individuals earning over MVR 60,000 per month will no longer receive full coverage as they currently do. The President stated that, in order to make the state healthcare system sustainable, the policy for granting Aasandha to wealthy individuals and income taxpayers will change starting next month. Accordingly, he noted that high-income earners will henceforth receive Aasandha services under a "co-pay" or "pre-pay" system by personally bearing a portion of the cost or by paying an annual fee to the government. He stated that the primary objective of this change is to channel state assistance to vulnerable citizens who need it most.

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Politics

Amid issues raised concerning the denial of opportunities to certain media outlets at President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's press conference and allegations that uninhabited islands were granted to a member of his family, the President has urged not to spread false information. While former President Mohamed Nasheed has stated that he will support Fayyaz Ismail in the MDP primary, he has also met with former Vice President Faisal Naseem. Former President Abdulla Yameen has refused to accept a police summons sent on 7 September 2026 for questioning over his remarks stating that a 2024 fire incident at a government building was arson deliberately committed by a group. Police obstructed PNF members who attempted to distribute invitation cards on the street for the "Fehi Signal" gathering scheduled to be held at the Artificial Beach. Furthermore, while the police have released a video seeking suspects who stole helmets, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihsan spoke regarding upholding police integrity.

Economy

Under major reform measures to strengthen state-owned enterprises, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced on 7 September 2026 the decision to dissolve Fenaka and place it under STELCO, dissolve RDC and merge it with MTCC, make AgroNet a subsidiary of MIFCO, and acquire 100 percent of MWSC's shares as well as a 51 percent majority share of Dhiraagu. The Maldivian government has also signed a five-year framework agreement worth 1.5 billion dollars with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) to secure trade finance for the country's fuel, food, and medicine requirements, as well as to expand exports. In addition, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu revealed that 10 islands have been designated to develop 10 resorts with equal shares for every Maldivian citizen, distributing at least 400 dollars annually to each citizen starting from the year 2030 from the profits of these resorts.

Social

To ensure the safety of the high-rise towers in Hulhumalé, HDC has opened the opportunity to raise balcony railings and install window grills until September 30, with more than 500 applications received so far. In connection with the 900th anniversary of the Maldives' conversion to Islam, the foundation stone has been laid in Hulhumalé for the Sultan Mohamed Ibn Abdulla Grand Mosque—the largest mosque to be built in the Maldives—and a project has been launched to install religious advice and dhikr boards in all inhabited islands. In addition, following an incident where a cat was abused near the Vinares towers in Hulhumalé Phase 2, a gathering was held near Vinares 6 calling for an end to animal cruelty and for a sustainable solution to the stray cat issue.