Aasandha Expands Eligibility Criteria for Patients Seeking Overseas Medical Treatment

The Aasandha Company has amended its policies to broaden access to medical treatment abroad, introducing more flexible criteria for patients who require specialized care outside the Maldives. Under the updated regulations, the state-funded health insurance scheme will now consider covering services that were previously unregistered under Aasandha for overseas treatment. The approval process will move beyond a simple availability check, instead weighing multiple critical factors including the specific nature of the illness, the patient's current medical condition, and the logistical challenges of receiving the required care within the country. Speaking on PSM News’s 'Raajje Miadhu' program, Aasandha Managing Director Aminath Zeeniya clarified that while the criteria have expanded, the core principle of local priority remains. Patients will not be referred abroad if the necessary treatment can be effectively and safely provided within the Maldives. To ensure quality of care, referrals for these previously unregistered services will be directed toward foreign hospitals that are officially empanelled under the Aasandha scheme and staffed by recognized specialists. In a move to improve accessibility for those living outside the capital, the company has also adjusted its referral protocols. While referrals typically must be issued by specialists relevant to the case, Aasandha-authorized doctors may now issue these referrals in instances where specialists are unavailable in specific islands or atolls. This change aims to reduce the bureaucratic hurdles for rural patients seeking urgent specialist intervention abroad.