Third batch of Maldivian patients arrive in India

The third batch of Maldivian patients who require advanced medical treatment have been sent to neighboring India.

The country’s health insurance provider Aasandha revealed via a circular that the group of 60 Maldivians departed on Wednesday evening.

The travel approval for the third batch was processed following a request by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

According to Aasandha, the batch departed after acquiring the required visa and testing for the Covid-19 pandemic in accordance with India’s Public Health Guidelines.

The patients are to acquire treatment for advanced medical care at KIMS Hospital, where they will also be completing the required quarantine period.

Further, it has been revealed that three patients from the previous batch who travelled to the neighboring country on July 14, who tested positive have been isolated, along with their close contacts. They are to receive emergency treatment, despite being in isolation.

Aasandha is to closely monitor the situation of Maldivian patients acquiring treatment in India.

The first batch of 64 individuals including 28 patients and caregivers travelled to India in late June after Indian authorities granted the permission, the first of its kind.

In cooperation with Aasandha, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is conducting work and announced that they will be facilitating travel of patients requiring urgent critical care that is not covered under Aasandha.

Patients as well as caregivers will only be allowed to travel after the required authorization from Indian authorities, even if approved by the ministry.

In addition, they will be required to obtain medical visas from the Indian High Commission in Maldives and arrange their own stay as well as quarantine arrangements.

Aasandha revealed that they provide accommodation to the patients.

India closed its borders following the Covid-19 pandemic, and the High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Sunjay Sudhir has stressed that its citizens abroad are currently unable to return as well. The neighboring nation is yet to announce a date for border reopening.