Malé | Raajje24 | 3 August 2025
In a move set to ease access to healthcare across the Maldives, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has announced plans to provide free ferry travel for patients undergoing treatment for major or chronic illnesses via the state-run Raajje Transport Link (RTL) network.
Deputy Minister Ibrahim Yasir, speaking on state media PSM, stated that the government intends to issue a dedicated BML card through the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA). This card would allow both the patient and one accompanying caretaker to travel for free aboard RTL ferries. He said the initiative is now in the implementation phase following discussions with relevant authorities including MTCC and NSPA.
“Patients in need of long-term treatment will be eligible. Our goal is to ease their travel burden through coordinated support,” Yasir explained.
While further details are expected soon, the initiative highlights the government’s focus on equitable access to essential services through public infrastructure.
RTL: Expanding Nationwide with Indian Support
The free travel initiative comes as the RTL ferry network, managed by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), continues its rapid expansion. As of this month, RTL services operate in 10 atolls, with Baa Atoll being the most recent addition.
The government has committed to extending RTL services to all atolls by the end of 2025, a goal made more achievable by India’s recent MVR 100 million grant aid to support ferry network expansion under the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) – Phase III.
This grant is funding the construction of 12 new high-speed passenger ferries, contributing to the national target of 80 operational vessels across the Maldives. The broader RTL project is budgeted at MVR 800 million.
Boosting Medical Mobility and National Connectivity
Inter-island travel has long been a barrier for patients living in remote islands who require advanced or recurring treatment in regional hospitals or Malé. The proposed ferry exemption scheme is expected to significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for such families.
The Ministry has yet to release official guidelines on eligibility, registration, and activation of the medical travel card. However, health and transport sector collaboration signals a policy shift toward integrated public welfare and mobility.
As the RTL network becomes more accessible and widespread, the government envisions a future where no island is too remote for basic rights like healthcare and transport.
