The Tree Top Hospital charges a fee of MVR 750 (US$48.5) for consultations and doctors appointments. But Maldivians will get a 30 percent discount, a hospital official told local media. 

The multi-speciality hospital is a project of Tree Top Investments, a partnership between prominent tourism companies, which enlisted Turkish company Turmaks Alke for the construction and Malaysia’s Ramsay Sime Darby for management.

Only admissions will be covered by the government’s health insurance scheme Aasandha, resort tycoon and one of the hospital’s investors Hussain Afeef told the press earlier this week.

The hospital opening prompted debates among Maldivians on social media, with some comparing its fee to the cost of travelling to a neighbouring country while others accused the resort oligarchs of trying to profit from healthcare.

“The consultation fee is MVR 750. Is this affordable to normal people? Question is, was this hospital built for the rich? Thank you, nation. Let’s pay more taxes to MIRA.”

“A doctor’s appointment for 750/-. Even if Aasandha pays some of it, the money goes to champa. Champa got rich from the island nearby. The money the ordinary man has for medical bills must now go to champaa too”

“Insha Allah, tomorrow is a big day for Maldives Health sector. The day tree top hospital officially opens. This administration has brought a revolutionary change to the health sector.

#ThankYouPresidentYameen #RY2018”