With the travel approval from neighboring India upon a special request from President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the fourth batch of Maldivian patients who require advanced medical treatment have been sent to India.

A total of 50 Maldivians, both caregivers and patients had departed from the Velana International Airport a little past 6pm on Friday.

The country’s health insurance provider Aasandha covers costs for this batch as well.

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

Under the set protocols, Maldivians travelling for critical medical care are required to test negative before departure as well as before returning. They are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine period as well, following which they will be tested for the infection again.

21 patients were among the batch that departed on Friday.

Nine out of the 21 patients will acquire treatment at AIMS Hospital and the remaining 12 will seek treatment at KIMS Hospital.

Patients may seek treatment while completing the quarantine period, at the hospital, alongside their caregivers.

Aasandha earlier revealed that they will closely monitor the situation of Maldivian patients acquiring treatment in India.

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.