President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that ambulance services will be covered under the Aasandha health insurance scheme in special circumstances, effective from 1 April.

Addressing a press briefing today, the President acknowledged that the exclusion of ambulance services from the Aasandha scheme has been a longstanding concern among the public. He said the Government has now decided to extend coverage to ambulance services following careful consideration of all financial and implementation aspects.

The ambulance service will be available under the Aasandha scheme in the following circumstances: transporting a patient in an emergency; carrying a deceased person; transporting a bedridden patient; taking individuals in wheelchairs for outpatient treatment; taking individuals with physical or mental disabilities for outpatient treatment; transferring a patient admitted to a health centre to another facility; transporting a patient to a jetty or airport for treatment abroad; and referring thalassemia patients for outpatient treatment.

President Dr Muizzu assured the public that ambulance services would be arranged through Aasandha in all of the above situations.

Since assuming office, President Dr Muizzu has progressively expanded the Aasandha health insurance scheme to cover several services that were previously excluded. Among the most notable additions is the inclusion of IVF treatment under the scheme.