President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced today that circumstances under which ambulance charges will be covered under Aasandha will be expanded from April onwards.
Speaking at the weekly press briefing held at the President's Office this morning, President Muizzu said that important decisions have been made in relation to ambulance services, which are to come into effect from April 1 onwards.
According to the President, some situations where ambulance services will be covered under Aasandha are:
- Transfer of patients in emergency situations
- Transfer of deceased individuals
- Transfer of bed-ridden patients for outpatient care
- Transfer of wheelchair-bound patients for outpatient care
- Transfer of persons with disabilities for outpatient care. This includes physical disabilities, mental disabilities, autism, and down syndrome.
- Transfer of patients at a health care facility to another facility for further treatment
- In the instance of an evacuation, or a patient needing to be flown abroad for treatment, transfer of patient to the jetty or airport
- Transfer of thalassemia patients for outpatient care
The President noted that the public has voiced concerns about ambulance services not being covered under Aasandha and has called for the coverage to be expanded.
The newly proposed changes will bring convenience to citizens, he added.
President Muizzu said that the decision had been reached after several days of discussions on related budget allowances, operational matters and technical considerations.
