President requests increase in Dollar limit for overseas medical treatment

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has requested an increase in the dollar limit available to individuals traveling abroad for medical treatment, whether funded through the state healthcare schemes Aasandha/NSPA or at their own expense.

In a post shared on social media today, the President said that starting from August 1, individuals receiving treatment abroad through Aasandha will be eligible to obtain up to USD 2,000 through local banks. He also proposed that those funding their treatment be allowed to withdraw up to USD 1,000 via the banking system.

The responsibility of determining the method and process for issuing the dollars will be left to the discretion of individual banks.

At present, patients traveling abroad for self-funded medical care can only access USD 500 through the Bank of Maldives (BML), leaving them to purchase the remaining required foreign currency at higher open-market rates.

Speaking to Mihaaru, National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) CEO Heena Waleed welcomed the proposal, noting that a significant number of Maldivians seek medical care overseas. She added that raising the dollar limit would offer meaningful relief to many families burdened by the financial demands of treatment abroad.