Nazim: Important to discuss departure from atolls for medical trips abroad under Aasandha

Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim remarked on Thursday that discussions are necessary to explore the possibility of allowing patients to travel abroad from regional international airports, in addition to the main Velana International Airport (VIA), under the Aasandha national health insurance scheme.

The Maldives currently operates five international airports. In addition to VIA in Male’, these include Gan International Airport, Maafaru International Airport, Hanimaadhoo International Airport, and Villa International Airport. Among these, Gan International Airport offers flights to Sri Lanka, while Hanimaadhoo International Airport provides services to India’s Kerala.

The issue was raised during a press conference held by Health Ministry, when a journalist inquired why patients are unable to travel abroad for medical treatment from regional international airports under Aasandha medical scheme.

In response, Minister Nazim acknowledged that this matter extends beyond the Health Ministry alone, noting that it requires policy-level deliberation involving multiple government stakeholders. He described the proposal as a commendable initiative that warrants coordinated discussion at the highest levels of policy-making.

“If Transport [Ministry], Health Ministry Aasandha, and Social [Services] Ministry all work together, this is certainly not an unachievable goal. It is absolutely a topic worth discussing,” the Minister remarked.

Currently, all patients traveling for aboard for medical purposes under the Aasandha scheme must depart exclusively from Velana International Airport in Male’. Subsequently, patients from the outer atolls who require treatment abroad are compelled to travel to the capital at considerable personal expense before they can depart for overseas care.

Maldivian citizens are entitled to seek medical treatment at hospitals in India and Sri Lanka under Aasandha scheme. While this arrangement has enabled many Maldivians to access specialized treatments unavailable domestically, financial authorities and independent audits have consistently highlighted that the current structure places an unsustainable burden on the state. Accordingly, these bodies have strongly recommended comprehensive reforms to ensure the scheme’s long-term financial viability.