President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that ambulance services will be covered under the national health insurance scheme, Aasandha, starting from the first of next month, marking a major expansion of healthcare access in the Maldives.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office, the President confirmed that the decision has been finalised following extensive consultations assessing technical, financial, and operational feasibility. The move comes in response to persistent public concerns over the difficulty of accessing medical transportation.
Under the revised scheme, ambulance services will be provided for transporting deceased individuals as well as bedridden patients who require assistance to attend outpatient services. Coverage will also extend to wheelchair users and individuals with disabilities, including those with physical and mental conditions, autism, and Down syndrome, when seeking outpatient care.
The President further detailed that ambulance services will be available for patients requiring transfers between medical facilities for advanced treatment or diagnostic procedures. In cases where patients are referred abroad for treatment, the scheme will cover ambulance transport to key departure points such as airports or jetties.
Additionally, thalassemia patients requiring regular outpatient visits will be eligible for transport under the scheme, ensuring continuity of care.
President Muizzu emphasized that the initiative is designed to remove a critical barrier in healthcare access and expressed confidence that the policy will bring significant relief and convenience to citizens across the country. He added that the move forms part of a broader series of welfare reforms introduced since he assumed office, aimed at strengthening social protection and improving public services nationwide.
