President Mohamed Muizzu has announced that ambulance services will be brought under the Aasandha health insurance scheme in specific circumstances, with the new policy set to take effect on 1 April.
Speaking at a press briefing, the President acknowledged that the absence of ambulance coverage has long been a concern for the public. He said the decision follows a detailed review of financial and operational factors, with the aim of expanding access to essential healthcare services.
Under the revised policy, ambulance services will be covered by Aasandha in a range of scenarios. These include emergency transport of patients, the transfer of deceased individuals, and the movement of bedridden patients requiring medical care.
The scheme will also cover transport for individuals using wheelchairs or those with physical or mental disabilities when attending outpatient treatment. In addition, patients being referred from one health facility to another, as well as those travelling to a jetty or airport for overseas treatment, will be eligible for ambulance support.
Special provisions have also been made for thalassemia patients requiring outpatient services.
President Muizzu assured that arrangements will be made through Aasandha to provide ambulance services in all eligible cases, reducing the financial burden on patients and families.
The move forms part of a broader effort by the administration to strengthen the national health insurance system and improve access to essential medical services across the country.
Since taking office, the President has overseen a series of expansions to the Aasandha scheme, bringing previously uncovered services under its umbrella.
Among the most notable additions has been the inclusion of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment, reflecting a wider push to enhance healthcare accessibility and support diverse medical needs.
The inclusion of ambulance services marks another step in the government’s efforts to build a more comprehensive and responsive public healthcare system in the Maldives.
