How does the healthcare system work in the Maldives?

What is the quality of healthcare in the Maldives?

• The Maldives has a challenging healthcare system. Try getting good healthcare on all sorts of small islands that are also plagued by bad weather.
• Fortunately, the government has worked hard on this in recent years, resulting in a very good infrastructure where every resident has quick access to a good healthcare facility. Primary medical care is available on every island and there is a secondary health centre on every atoll or archipelago.
• The island has a system of public and private institutions.
• There are two major hospitals in the Maldives: the ADK Private Hospital and the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital. These hospitals have modern equipment, but outside of Male this is very limited and medical evacuation is necessary in serious cases.
• Resort islands often have their own medical professionals on site in case something happens to the guests. There are also sometimes smaller clinics on the island. However, for serious problems, medical evacuation is often necessary - for example to India or Sri Lanka.
• Pharmacies can be found on the larger islands such as Male. In general, the medicines are in stock there.
• There is no emergency medical number in the Maldives. At sea, the coast guard can be called on 191. It may be wise to save the emergency number of a private healthcare institution nearby for emergencies.

How does the public healthcare system work in the Maldives?

• The public healthcare system consists of five levels of healthcare, divided into regions. This system does not have to be followed, one can use any level of healthcare.
• Unfortunately, the Maldives suffers from a shortage of healthcare personnel and medical equipment.
• All residents of the Maldives, including legally employed expats, are entitled to thousands of USD in medical care, paid by the government. For expats, the employer must pay a fee to obtain this coverage.
• This coverage includes emergency hospitalisation and treatment, emergency evacuation, outpatient care, prescribed medication, diagnostics and, in the case of a high earner, treatment abroad.
• Unfortunately, there are often long waiting times for public healthcare. This also applies to the best public hospital Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital.

How does the private healthcare system work in the Maldives?

• The private healthcare sector in the Maldives is quite large and has grown in recent years. There are more than 50 medical facilities and several hospitals.
• Foreigners often prefer private healthcare because of the better equipment, shorter waiting times and better trained doctors.
• Private clinics not only offer Western care, but also traditional and alternative forms of healthcare.
• Private healthcare costs can be quite high.
• Although the public system offers healthcare coverage for working expats, it is still recommended to take out private health insurance because medical evacuation is necessary in serious cases. This means that the costs can suddenly be very high if something happens to you.

How is the general practitioner arranged in the Maldives?

• The closest thing to a general practitioner is a primary doctor in a health clinic. These can be found in both public and private institutions.
• General doctors are also often found at the resorts (islands).

How is the dentist arranged in the Maldives?

• Dentists in the Maldives must register with the Maldives Medical and Dental Council (MMDC). Registered dental practices can be found on their website.
• There are both public and private dental care facilities. Most foreigners living in the Maldives choose private dentists because of the faster and more personal care. It is always useful to ask other expats about their experiences with a good dentist!
• The costs are generally a lot lower than in other countries.

How is pregnancy care arranged in the Maldives?

• The country has seen a huge reduction in maternal mortality over the last 25 years. The number of mothers who die during childbirth has fallen by 90% over this period. This is due to better access to general healthcare, prenatal care and better doctors. The government also has programs that specifically focus on women's reproductive health. There is good maternity care available in the Maldives, both before, during and after birth. If you are insured under the national system, the government will most likely cover most of the costs.
• The best gynaecologists can be found in the two major hospitals in Male: the ADK Private Hospital and the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital.
• Be aware of the Zika virus when you are pregnant in the Maldives. This is a risk here.

How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in the Maldives?

What should you pay attention to in terms of safety in the Maldives?

• In general, the Maldives are very safe. There is little crime, especially on the resort islands, and the country is quite politically stable in the tourist areas.
• In Malé, political demonstrations can occur that can become violent. Better to avoid them!
• Strict Islamic law can also cause problems for foreigners, especially if you are more in the local communities.
• Beware of currents and harsh conditions on remote islands if you go without a guide.
• On islands where the locals live, it is important not to drink alcohol in public or exhibit immoral behavior. This is illegal!
• The rainy season (May-November) can bring heavy storms.

What should you look out for in terms of diseases in the Maldives?

• Due to the tropical climate, there are several mosquito-borne diseases in the country, such as dengue fever and Chikungunya. Take good precautions to protect yourself from mosquitoes. To prevent bacterial infections, it is wise to only drink bottled water and to wash or cook fruit and vegetables thoroughly.

What should you pay attention to when it comes to traffic in the Maldives?

• If you live and work on a resort island, you will not need a car. Most islands are too small for roads. Bicycles and golf carts are often the main means of transport here.
• Outside of Malé and Hulhumalé, there are no highways and very few cars.
• Ferries are important for transport between islands. This is the cheapest option. Speedboats are faster, but more expensive.
• Domestic flights are common for islands that are far away.
• In the Maldives, you also have seaplanes, yes really! But only for the rich among us.

What work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in the Maldives?

• Is the trip to the Maldives and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.

What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for the Maldives if you are going to live there for a while?

• Although it is usually not necessary for a visa application and you can get health insurance locally, it is still recommended for expats and emigrants to also take out their own international insurance. A good one covers the costs of private care, but more importantly, the costs of medical repatriation and evacuation, which is certainly necessary in the Maldives in serious cases. Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.