Aasandha has halted the referral of new patients to Amrita Hospital in Cochin, India, one of the most popular overseas medical facilities for Maldivians seeking treatment through the national health insurance scheme.

This change means that new patients intending to go to Amrita under Aasandha will experience temporary delays until the referral process is reopened.

According to Aasandha Company, the suspension affects only new cases. The company emphasized that current Maldivian patients receiving treatment at Amrita will continue to be covered fully under Aasandha without any disruption. 

However, Aasandha was unable to specify when the referral process for new patients will resume.

In the past, Aasandha services have been temporarily suspended at certain overseas hospitals due to administrative or contractual issues. Each year, the government spends approximately MVR 200 million on overseas medical treatments through the national insurance scheme.