Aasandha services in Bangkok and Dubai have been launched with rules that allow only a few people to seek medical treatment.

In a press release, Aasandha said that the first priority will be given to kidney patients without a first-degree donor.

"They are patients who have been unable to seek kidney transplants in the countries that have been empanelled in Aasandha so far due to the laws and regulations of those countries that require the kidney donor to be a first-degree donor," it stated.

Additionally, Aasandha scheme allows people to seek treatment in Thailand and the UAE if "repeated" medical treatment and procedures in the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka have failed to bring relief to the patient.

Aasandha will designate a referral centre for such persons with the technical advice of the relevant team of doctors and provide them with the necessary medical assistance.

The company said the health insurance scheme will be expanded in Thailand and the UAE in the future. However, no specific date was given.

The eligible patients will be sent to the designated hospitals in Thailand and the UAE under the existing Aasandha regulations for hospitals in India and Sri Lanka.

Last year, Aasandha signed agreements with Bangkok Hospital, World Medical Hospital and Burjeel Medical City (BMC) in Dubai.