President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to expand the state health insurance provider, Aasandha’s services to United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Thailand.

In a press statement upon return to the Maldives on Saturday, after concluding a state visit to China, President Muizzu promised to expand Aasandha services to countries that offer better quality medical care services, including the UAE and Thailand.

“In the future, Aasandha will not be restricted to medical facilities in specific countries in a specific region, but will be expanded to countries that offer better services such as UAE and Thailand,” he said.

He said that he is working to provide Aasandha coverage for accommodation as well.

“The health facilities in this country will be developed to better standards than the countries [Maldivian people] currently travel to. The hospitals will be in par with those in Dubai or Bangkok,” he said.

President Muizzu said his administration is also working on reducing Maldives’ dependency on a single country for essential commodities such as rice, sugar and flour, and to have essential commodities brought in from other countries as well.

He said that Maldives has reached an agreement with Turkey, and has placed the order for the first shipment.

“We haven’t just arranged for the supply. In a first, this Ramadan, the government will donate a 10 kg rice bag and a 10 kg flour bag to each and every household,” he said.

President Muizzu said he hopes to increase the quantity next year.

“In Sha Allah, we will rise up on our own feet and end the dependency on other countries,” he said.

President Muizzu said his administration is also working on securing supplies of medicines and consumables from Europe and United States.

He promised that it will happen soon.