Patients seeking medical treatment abroad will have access to more dollars at the official bank rate effective from today.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on 21 July has announced that starting 1 August, patients seeking medical treatment abroad under the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) will be able to purchase up to USD 2,000 at the official bank rate while those funding their own medical treatment abroad will also eligible to purchase up to USD 1,000 at bank rate.
Currently, patients travelling abroad under the Aasandha scheme can purchase up to USD 2,000 at the bank rate, while other travellers, including those going overseas for medical purposes at their own expenses, are limited to USD 500 issued for each ticket.
The President's decision was designed to ease the difficulties faced by those travelling abroad for medical treatment in obtaining dollars.
The government is making arrangements for easy access to dollars for Maldivian traveling and studying abroad. Local students studying abroad has now been allocated an increased withdrawal limit of up to USD 1,200 per month while Hajj pilgrims have access to a limit of USD 1,750.
According to the latest figures shared by NSPA, more than USD 1.6 million was spent by the agency on medical expenses in June this year. Of this, NSPA spent USD 525,290 for treatment abroad and USD 1.14 million on domestic healthcare services.