Maldives Health Insurance

Comprised of 1,190 islands spread over a million square kilometers in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives are frequently listed as one of the most beautiful places on Earth in vacation reviews, and boast commonplace the scenes that many conjure up when imaging an island paradise.

With palm lined white sandy beaches, warm crystal-blue water, and shallow easily accessible reefs and marine life, along with super luxurious resorts and dining, the Maldives deserve many of the praises they receive. However, the pristine facade in travel brochures and the luxury accommodations of the numerous resorts on the 88 islands designated by the government for foreign tourism don't tell the full story of living conditions for the majority of residents in Maldives.

Average annual income is as only US$4000 and the country in general is still developing, but with a stable government and growing economy, standards are improving in line with the influx of tourism revenue that the nation takes in yearly. Expats visiting or relocating to the area should be aware that infrastructure in the Maldives is still elementary, living conditions vary widely between the 200 inhabited islands, from very primitive on sparsely populated islands to crowded and modern in the capitol city of Malé. Education is improving, and healthcare offering are expanding, but more time is yet needed before the Maldives are on par with Europe and North America.

Maldives Medical Insurance and the Healthcare System

The healthcare system in the Maldives is currently undergoing extensive expansion and modernization, though currently the progress that has been made is still not deemed sufficient to adequately care for the needs of the approximately 390,000 population, and further improvements are still needed. Fortunately, many efforts have been successful and now the Ministry of Health reports that many easily controlled communicable diseases, such as malaria, have been virtually eradicated, and other illness common in the region, such as tuberculosis, are well maintained. Thanks to improvements in immunizations, early detection practices, and public awareness and education, life expectancy has increased to 76 years and infant and maternal mortality rates are on the decrease. Doctor to patient ratios are extremely high, at 7:10,000, though many of these are in the private employ of resorts and hotels and not do not offer their services to the majority of the public.

Major challenges now facing the Maldives regarding public health are from a lack of trained healthcare staff in the public sector, along with a shortage of healthcare facilities, particularly secondary-care hospitals. The sometimes vast distances and very small populations of some of the inhabited islands frequently poses a problem as well. As a result, malnutrition amongst children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers remains a concern, along with access to clean water and sanitary sewer in some remote islands, with occasional isolated cases of fecal-borne disease reported.

In general, most expats will find the level of medical care available in the Maldives to be insufficient for any health complications beyond the very basic. While many resorts may have a basic infirmary for common traveler's ailments, and due to the popularity of scuba diving in the Maldives several decompression chambers are available, more serious complications will require transit to Malé for treatment at one of the nations two hospitals: the public Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and the private Abduarahman Don Kaleyfan Hospital (ADKH). There, basic care is available, along with stabilizing services for air transport to more capable facilities abroad, though few advanced procedures or specialty treatments are offered.

Basic care for Maldivians is provided through a five level public health system comprised of 19 health outposts, over 100 health centers, 13 atoll demi-hospitals, and six regional hospitals, with the pinnacle of care offered through IGMH . There are currently no public ambulance services available so most emergency transport has to be arranged by private power-boat or light aircraft, and only IGMH and ADKH in Malé are able to treat trauma emergencies. Further, intensive care units there are in short supply and high demand. A few non-profit and for profit clinics are available as well, though not as popular with locals due to out of pocket cost, and offerings and conditions range widely among them.

Maldives Medical Insurance Concerns

Since 2009, all Maldivians are eligible to join the nationalized social medicine scheme at a fixed buy in rate. Foreigners and expats without permanent residency are not able to join this plan and as a result are strongly encouraged to purchase private Maldives health insurance coverage from a reputable provider. Many also choose to purchase emergency air evacuation or repatriation coverage to protect themselves against the very high fees these services incur.

Expats and travelers should be aware however that even if they are covered by a private insurance plan it will not be honored by the public healthcare network, including IGM hospital, and that treatments there will typically incur out of pocket expenses. Some or all of these costs may be reimbursed to the traveler by their insurance provider, but it is wise to ensure this is the case prior to any emergencies. Otherwise, most foreigners choose instead to seek treatment at private clinics or ADK hospital, as these will honor private coverage and usually have much shorter wait times for care.

Maldives Travel Insurance Information

As nearly a million tourists visited the Maldives in 2010 for a beach getaway, the most frequent health complaints for most short-term visitors are from sunburn, heat exhaustion, and dehydration. Diarrhea is also common due to change in diet. For those who choose to venture away from the luxury resorts, clean drinking water is not readily available, and in some areas improved sanitation is lacking. Therefore bottled water and good hygiene is recommended.

Communicable disease is not a major concern, but rare outbreaks of dengue fever do occur and anyone planning to live long-term in the Maldives may consider vaccination against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and rabies along with all recommended routine vaccines and booster shots. It is also wise to bring any required prescriptions for the extent of your stay in the Maldives, as some medications are not readily available.

The national language is Dhevehi, and along with it English is widely spoken, particularly by those employed in the tourism industry. The national currency is the Rufiyaa, though United States dollars are typically preferred and accepted everywhere. In general, the Maldives are safe for visitors, but all do well to practice the normal precautions of travel by not leaving valuables unattended and not walking alone after dark.

Due to global warming and the very low elevation of the islands, beach erosion is a major problem and some fear rising sea-levels threaten the very existence of the island chain. Other concerns were realized in 2004 when a tsunami claimed over 100 lives and did extensive damage as it washed across some of the islands. All should take tsunami warnings very seriously and seek higher ground immediately in the event an alarm is sounded.

Maldives Expat Medical Insurance

The remote location of the Maldives is a large part of the allure for many travelers and expatriates. The feeling of being away from the rest of the world can be truly relaxing. Without proper precautions however, that remoteness can easily become life threatening should you or a member of your family or travel group require emergency medical care. Expat Medical Insurance therefore proudly offers Maldives Health Insurance and International Traveler's Medical coverage plans that ensure access to the best care available in the Maldives or anywhere around the globe. In addition, we have emergency air transport packages that affordably provide access to this critical service should the need arise. Contact one of our expert advisers today for a free consultation regarding the best coverage to meet your needs.