Amid the ongoing India-Maldives diplomatic row, the focus has been on what the Maldives has to lose — a large number of Indian tourists. With EaseMyTrip suspending flights to the Maldives, Thrillophilia refunding cancelled bookings and many such incidents, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has appealed to China to send more tourists. But it’s not just the tourism industry in the island nation that’s suffering, Maldivians have another huge reason to worry— their health.
Maldivians Worried About The Impact Of India-Maldives Row
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Lakshadweep to promote tourism, a few ministers from the Maldives made offensive remarks against PM Modi and India. What followed was an online battle which then led to a full-blown diplomatic war between the two nations. Indians called to boycott Maldives and instead choose Lakshadweep and other Indian islands for their beach vacations.
The Indian government even took up this matter with the Male government after which three deputy ministers were suspended for their unsavoury remarks on social media. However, there is a big chunk of Maldivians who are worried about their health and healthcare amid the ongoing diplomatic row between India and the Maldives. This is because Maldivians for long have visited India for medical tourism. India is a sought-after destination for medical treatments and consultations.
Also Read: Maldives Travel Agents Extend ‘Sincere Apology’; Request EaseMyTrip To Resume Flight Bookings
India Is The Most Preferred Destination For Medical Tourism
Many Maldivians worried about their upcoming medical trip to India took to X (formerly Twitter) to slam their ministers for jeopardising the diplomatic ties with an important neighbour like India. As per a study by BMC Health Services Research, for Maldivians, India is the most preferred destination for medical treatments. A whopping 98 per cent of Maldivians chose India over Sri Lanka for medical tourism for reasons like affordability, familiarity and proximity.
Maldivians travel to India for its advanced medical facilities like cancer care and complicated heart surgeries which Maldives’s current healthcare infrastructure cannot support. Most importantly, India provides world-class treatment, hospitals and doctors at a fraction of the cost of other nations.
Also Read: Insurers Won’t Pay The Claim If You Cancel Your Planned Vacation To The Maldives
So, now amid the ongoing row between India and the Maldives, Maldivians are ones looking for a resolution as quickly as possible.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva
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