Maldives has expanded its universal health insurance scheme, Aasandha, to Thailand and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Until now, Aasandha coverage was limited to select hospitals in India and Sri Lanka.
However, in December last year, agreements were signed with Burjeel Medical City in the UAE, as well as World Medical Hospital and Bangkok Hospital in Thailand, in line with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's pledge to enhance healthcare services available to Maldivian citizens.
Aasandha Company Limited said patients will be referred to these hospitals under the scheme from Wednesday. The same conditions under the current regulation under which patients are referred to hospitals abroad will apply, the company said.
According to Aasandha, first preference will be given to referrals in need of kidney transplants who do not have a family donor.
Patients who have been treated multiple times through a medical center in India or Sri Lanka without improvement would also be referred to the hospitals in Thailand or UAE under the advise of health care professionals, it added.
The government is currently undertaking efforts to expand Aasandha coverage to more countries and overhaul the entire insurance scheme.