Maldivian citizens can now access healthcare services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Thailand through the Aasandha health insurance scheme. 

This development marks a significant step toward fulfilling President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality for Maldivians.

Starting today, hospitals in the UAE empaneled under the Aasandha scheme are ready to provide services. 

These hospitals will follow the existing operational rules applied to other overseas hospitals under the non-exhaustive scheme.

Referral of patients to hospitals in Thailand and the UAE will begin, with first priority given to patients who are suffering from kidney transplants due to lack of a "first degree donor" (family member).

The expansion prioritizes two specific categories of patients. 

The first group includes individuals requiring kidney transplants who lack a “first-degree donor” (a family member). 

This criterion has restricted their access to treatment in other empaneled countries where donor laws require familial relations.

The second category covers patients who have undergone multiple treatments in centers in the Maldives, India, or Sri Lanka without significant improvement. 

Referrals for these cases will be determined based on technical advice from relevant specialists.

Applications for overseas treatment can now be submitted online via the Aasandha mobile app, the main Aasandha portal, or in person at designated Vira counters in hospitals and Aasandha front office counters.

Today, the Aasandha scheme will expand its services to the UAE and Thailand focusing on those two categories. 

Aasandha will expand its services to other areas in the coming days.