Ambulance services are now covered under the Aasandha health insurance scheme, fulfilling a pledge made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to address a longstanding concern of the public.

President Dr Muizzu had previously announced that the Government decided to extend coverage to ambulance services following careful consideration of all financial and implementation aspects. The service came into effect today as promised.

The ambulance service is now 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.

Since assuming office, President Dr Muizzu has progressively expanded the Aasandha health insurance scheme to cover several services that were previously excluded.