The Indian government has given assurance that more Maldivian patients who require urgent medical care abroad will be accomodated.

India's borders remain closed to foreigners as a precautionary measure against COVID-19. However, 28 Maldivian patients seeking treatments not available in the Maldives traveled to India on Tuesday after the Indian government granted a special permit for travel. Maldives is the first country to which India has granted such a permit.

The Foreign Ministry said a meeting was held between Indian Ambassador to the Maldives, Sunjay Sudhir and Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid on Wednesday evening, and that the Indian ambassador gave assurance that opportunity will be given for more Maldivian patients to travel to India for treatment.

According to the government's medical insurance company, Aasandha, 50 more patients are to be sent to India under the government insurance coverage.

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