Manipal Hospital, where several Maldivians regularly seek medical treatment, has been dropped from the list of medical institutions where the universal health insurance scheme of Maldives, Aasandha coverage is provided.

Aasandha dropped coverage at Manipal Hospital, effective from 1 July 2024.

The company revealed that they have halted providing coverage for the hospital in neighboring India temporarily, as the hospital is revising the prices that are currently agreed upon.

Even though this decision has been announced, Aasandha revealed that it would not interrupt the treatment of any of the patients currently seeking treatment at the hospital under the scheme.

Aasandha revealed that they are presently working with Manipal to revise the prices and that discussions will commence very soon.

However, Aasandha revealed that it is not clear when the hospital will resume Aasandha coverage, yet.

Since the incumbent administration of Dr. Mohamed Muizzu came into power, ties with the neighboring country have soured once again, as observed during the administration of Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom as well.

As such, President Muizzu announced the expansion of Aasandha coverage to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as well as Thailand, which is expected to bring an end to Maldivians traveling to India for medical treatment.

However, work to provide Aasandha services at hospitals in UAE and Thailand have not commenced yet.

Aasandha has revealed that they are yet to complete the process of expanding their services to provided healthcare services from the two countries.

The company noted that they are however, in the process of initiating the services in Thailand and UAE.

Muizzu earlier stated that this would reduce the people’s dependance on confined medical facilities in a select group of countries, enabling patients to pursue finer healthcare.

He also noted that the expansion of Aasandha coverage in UAE and Thailand would incorporate accommodation expenses within the scope of the service as well.