The Government has expanded its Aasandha healthcare scheme to Thailand and the UAE from January 15, 2025, prioritising kidney transplant patients needing non-familial donors, followed by those with unsuccessful treatments in the Maldives, India or Sri Lanka. The expansion notably allows for non-familial kidney donors in the UAE, unlike previous restrictions requiring first-degree family donors. The scheme covers all medical costs, travel and accommodation for both patients and donors, with plans to expand services beyond these priority groups.