National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) CEO Heena Waleed has said that discussions have reached the final stages to provide the Aasandha health insurance scheme in UAE and Thailand.

Speaking at the Parliament's Social Affairs Committee, Heena, who also acts as the government's spokesperson, said the date to officially begin Aasandha in UAE and Thailand will be announced soon.

"Aasandha has done some work with hospitals in UAE and Thailand and has reached agreements to go forward with a party. We will soon announce the dates and more details," she said.

On January 13, after returning from a state visit to China, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced that efforts will be made to be less dependent on India for health services, including expanding Aasandha to UAE and Thailand.

"Instead of making Aasandha available by going to medical facilities in a particular country, we will expand Aasandha, God willing, to better quality countries, UAE and Thailand," President Muizzu said then.