Aasandha has signed agreements with two prominent medical institutions to facilitate patient referrals to Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under the national healthcare scheme. The partnerships are with World Medical Hospital in Thailand and Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi.
World Medical Hospital, Thailand
Established in 2013, World Medical Hospital (WMC) is located along Chaengwattana Road in Nonthaburi Province, near Bangkok. Operated by Bangkok Chain Hospital Public Company Limited, a leading entity in Thailand’s private healthcare sector, WMC offers specialised medical services across various disciplines, adhering to high standards of healthcare provision.
Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi
Burjeel Medical City is a leading quaternary care hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The facility is equipped with advanced diagnostic equipment, including 1.5T intraoperative iMRI, 1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla MRI, and PET-CT scanners. Its radiation oncology unit features the Elekta Versa HD Linear Accelerator, and the hospital is recognised as a reference site for Elekta and Novalis Certified Radiosurgery Centers. Burjeel Medical City provides 24-hour emergency services for both adult and paediatric patients.
These collaborations aim to expand the Aasandha scheme’s reach beyond its existing network, which currently includes several hospitals in India and the Maldives. India remains the most popular destination for patients seeking treatment under the scheme.
While Aasandha has not disclosed specific details about the agreements or the timeline for services to become available in these new destinations, the government has stated that the inclusion of Thailand and the UAE aligns with its broader strategy to enhance the scheme’s accessibility.
This development follows the government’s earlier announcement during a press conference after President Mohamed Muizzu’s state visit to China in January, where plans to include Thailand and the UAE in the scheme were outlined.
Recent regulatory changes to the Aasandha scheme have been introduced to improve efficiency and reduce waste, although some concerns have been raised by the public regarding the impact of these adjustments.
The expansion of the Aasandha scheme to include World Medical Hospital and Burjeel Medical City is expected to provide Maldivian patients with access to a broader range of specialised medical services, enhancing the overall quality and scope of healthcare available under the national scheme.
