Maldives (MV)

The Maldives is the world's most geographically dispersed country — a chain of 26 coral atolls and 1,192 islands stretching 900km across the Indian Ocean, of which only about 185 are inhabited.

Capital: Malé

Region: Asia

Language: Dhivehi

Currency: MVR (Rf)

Cost of living: Affordable (index 55)

Emergency: 119

Healthcare in Maldives

The Maldivian healthcare system is a two-tier structure: a government public system (IGMH and atoll hospitals) primarily serving Maldivian citizens and covered by the national Aasandha health insurance scheme, and a private sector centred on ADK Hospital in Malé and Hulhumalé Hospital. Foreign workers are NOT covered by Aasandha and must have employer-provided or personal private health insurance. Medical capacity is limited outside Malé — serious conditions routinely require medical evacuation to India (Chennai/Trivandrum) or Sri Lanka (Colombo). International expats should prioritise comprehensive health insurance with medical evacuation cover.

Limited by global standards; adequate for routine outpatient care in Malé. ADK Hospital and Tree Top Hospital offer modern facilities. Remote islands rely on basic health centres with visiting doctors. WHO ranked the Maldives 84th globally in 2000 (latest available ranking) — significant improvements have been made since but specialist capacity remains very limited.

Public healthcare: Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) / Aasandha Scheme

Government Hospital + National Health Protection Scheme

Eligibility:Aasandha (national health insurance scheme): Maldivian citizens and permanent residents ONLY. Foreign workers and expats are NOT covered by Aasandha and pay full private rates.

Monthly cost:Employer-provided insurance (group policy): USD 40–150/month per employee. Individual expat international health insurance: USD 80–250/month. For comprehensive coverage including evacuation: USD 150–400/month.

What's included:

Emergency care (all patients treated regardless of status)
General outpatient consultations (for those covered by Aasandha)
Basic diagnostics (X-ray, blood tests)
Maternity care
Inpatient ward care
Some surgical procedures

Not included (or co-pay required):

Medical care for foreign nationals under Aasandha
Most specialist procedures
Dental (except emergency)
Medical evacuation
Long-term care
Mental health (very limited)

Co-payments:IGMH emergency: MVR 150–500 per visit for foreigners (flat charge). Private rates apply for foreign patients throughout. ADK Hospital outpatient consultation: MVR 350–800. IGMH general ward: MVR 500–2,000/day for foreigners.

How to enrol:Foreign workers cannot enroll in Aasandha. Your employer must provide private health insurance as a condition of Employment Approval. Without employer coverage, you must purchase your own international health insurance.

Waiting period:No general waiting period for emergency care. Private health insurance policies may have 3–12 month waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.

Private healthcare: ADK Hospital / Tree Top Hospital / Private Clinics

Who can use it:Open to all. Recommended for all expats — higher English language proficiency and better equipment than government hospital for non-emergency care.

When it makes sense:For all non-emergency care by expats. ADK Hospital has the best diagnostic facilities in the Maldives. Tree Top Hospital (Hulhumalé) offers modern inpatient facilities. Private clinics in Malé handle GP-level consultations efficiently.

Monthly cost:Consultation: MVR 350–1,500 depending on specialist. No monthly premium — pay per use unless on a group policy.

Major providers:

ADK Hospital (Malé) — largest private hospital, best equippedTree Top Hospital (Hulhumalé) — modern 150-bed facility, opened 2020Faafu Atoll Hospital — atoll-level facilityClinic Hulhumalé — private clinic on HulhumaléSTO Pharmacy Clinics — minor ailment consultations

Accessing care

GP system

No formal GP registration system. Walk-in clinics in Malé see patients same-day for most conditions. ADK Hospital and Tree Top Hospital have outpatient departments open Sunday–Thursday (and emergency 24/7). For resort-based expats: resorts have on-call nurses or visiting doctors. Minor atoll health centres have basic GP services with visiting doctors on rotation.

Specialist referral

Specialists available in Malé at ADK Hospital: cardiology, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, dentistry, paediatrics, and others. Wait times: same-day to 1 week. For advanced specialists (neurosurgery, oncology, complex cardiac), referral to India or Sri Lanka is necessary. Most insurers facilitate direct referral letters to overseas hospitals.

Emergency care

Call 102 (national ambulance) or 911 (centralised emergency hotline). IGMH emergency department treats all patients 24/7 regardless of insurance. ADK Hospital emergency: +960 331 3553. Tree Top Hospital emergency: 1515. For resort-based emergencies: coast guard medevac available. If on a remote atoll, the island health post can stabilise and arrange coast guard or air ambulance transfer to Malé.

Out of hours

ADK Hospital emergency: 24/7 (+960 331 3553). Tree Top Hospital emergency: 24/7 (+960 415 1515). IGMH emergency: 24/7. On inhabited islands outside Malé: health centre contact numbers vary — save your island's health centre number immediately on arrival.

Prescriptions

Prescriptions written by Maldivian doctors valid at STO Pharmacies and private pharmacies in Malé. Drug availability is variable — certain medications common in Europe or North America may not be stocked. Bring a 3–6 month supply of any regular medications. For controlled medications: carry original prescription and official documentation from your home country doctor.

Dental

Private dental clinics are available in Malé: ADK Dental Clinic, Dr. Ali's Dental Care, and several others. Routine check-up: MVR 300–700. Filling: MVR 500–1,500. Root canal: MVR 3,000–6,000. Dental care is not covered by most basic health policies — check your plan.

Mental health

Very limited. MFDA Mental Health Centre in Malé offers some services. ADK Hospital has a psychiatrist. Stigma remains high. Online therapy (BetterHelp, Talkspace) is widely used by expats. Remote workers particularly prone to isolation challenges in atoll postings.

Maternity

IGMH Maternity Ward and Tree Top Hospital handle deliveries. ADK Hospital has obstetrics. Most expats plan for delivery in their home country or a regional centre (Colombo, Singapore, Dubai) given limited NICU capacity in the Maldives. Prenatal care is available at private clinics. Plan evacuation logistics early in pregnancy for remote island postings.

Expat-specific advice

First steps on arrival:

Ensure your employer provides health insurance with medical evacuation cover BEFORE your Employment Approval is processed
Save emergency numbers: ADK +960 331 3553, Tree Top 1515, Coast Guard +960 331 4243
Locate your nearest health facility on your island on day one of arrival
Carry a 3–6 month supply of any prescription medications
If on a remote atoll, identify the evacuation protocol with your employer or resort

Finding English-speaking doctors:ADK Hospital, Tree Top Hospital, and most private clinics in Malé have English-speaking doctors (many trained in India, UK, or Australia). Resort on-call doctors are typically English-speaking. On outer atoll health centres, English proficiency varies — your employer should facilitate translation if needed.

International insurance:International health insurance with MEDICAL EVACUATION COVER is non-negotiable in the Maldives. Recommended providers: AXA Global Healthcare, Cigna Global, AEA International (BUPA), International SOS. Budget for USD 100–250/month minimum for comprehensive coverage. Confirm your policy explicitly covers evacuation by air ambulance to India or Sri Lanka.

Emergency card info:Carry a card with: blood type, allergies, current medications, emergency contacts, health insurance provider and policy number, and international emergency line (+60 number if BUPA/AXA). Most useful information to have on your person at all times in a country with limited emergency diagnostics.

Pharmacies (Pharmacy (Farmaasigu))

Hours:Most pharmacies: 08:00–22:00. STO Pharmacy: 08:00–24:00. Some 24-hour pharmacies near hospitals in Malé.

After-hours / emergency:ADK Hospital pharmacy: 24/7. Tree Top Hospital pharmacy: 24/7. STO Main Pharmacy (Malé): near-24-hour service.

Prescription rules:Prescription required for most antibiotics, controlled medications, and specialist drugs. OTC medications include standard painkillers, antihistamines, rehydration salts, and basic first aid. Import of personal medications: carry original packaging, prescription, and doctor letter for any controlled or prescription-strength medications.

Available over-the-counter:

Paracetamol (Panadol)
Ibuprofen (Brufen)
Oral rehydration salts (essential for heat/humidity)
Mosquito repellent (DEET-based, important for dengue prevention)
Sunscreen (SPF 50+ essential)
Antihistamines (Cetirizine)
Antidiarrhoeals (Loperamide)
Antiseptic cream (Betadine)
Eye drops

Typical costs

GP visit (with insurance)	MVR 0–150 copay depending on policy
GP visit (private pay)	MVR 350–800 at private clinic
Specialist visit	MVR 600–1,500
Emergency visit	MVR 150–500 (IGMH government rates); MVR 500–2,500 (ADK private emergency)
MRI scan	MVR 4,000–8,000 at ADK Hospital (limited MRI availability)
Prescription average	MVR 50–300 depending on medication
Dental check-up	MVR 300–700
Baby delivery	MVR 5,000–20,000 (local); USD 3,000–10,000 in Colombo or Singapore if evacuated

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