Guidance

Mental health support for British nationals in the Maldives

Published 3 October 2025

© Crown copyright 2025

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maldives-mental-health-support/mental-health-support-for-british-nationals-in-the-maldives

The information contained in this note is intended for your general guidance only. It is not a substitute for obtaining your own medical and legal advice. While all due care has been taken in compiling this information, accuracy cannot be guaranteed, and applicable laws and procedures may change from time to time. For these reasons, neither His Majesty’s Government nor any member of the British Consular staff can accept liability for any costs, damages, or expenses which might be incurred.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office holds and uses data for purposes notified to the Information Commissioner under the Data Protection Act 1998 (which may be viewed at www.ico.org.uk. Such personal data may be disclosed to other UK Government Departments and public authorities.

FCDO consular support

Whenever possible we will seek your permission before taking any action on your behalf.

We can:

  • listen to you and help you look at your options;
  • help you to contact friends and family members if you want to;
  • visit you in hospital or prison in line with our usual procedures;
  • raise any concerns about your treatment or welfare with the responsible authority (such as a hospital or prison);
  • help overseas medical staff contact medical staff in the UK who may be able to provide advice on your medical history;
  • give information about local medication suppliers;
  • be available, as appropriate, to assist you if you choose to remain overseas.
  • liaise with your travel rep or travel insurance company, if you want us to.

We cannot:

  • give advice on mental health issues;
  • buy or supply medication;
  • withhold or remove a passport;
  • stop you from travelling abroad or require you to return to the UK;
  • pay for you to return to the UK; pay for food, accommodation, or medical bills;
  • get you better treatment in hospital or prison than is given to local people.

What to do if you need help

If there is an emergency or an urgent need for medical attention, you should either:

  • call 1677 (National Mental Health Department under the Health Ministry of the Maldives) for emergency services, or call 119 for the police, or
  • go to the emergency ward at any hospital.

Note: Enquiries can be made in English through these help lines

For less urgent requirements, the first option, as in the UK, is to make an appointment with a General Physician (GP) at a hospital. A GP will make a first assessment, be able to provide basic support and signpost you elsewhere to a more specialized ward if necessary. 

Repeat or replacement prescriptions

If you are on holiday or are a resident in the Maldives and require a repeat or replacement prescription, you should contact a local pharmacy. They will be able to provide advice and a list of local GPs or hospitals.

Carrying a copy of your prescription while on holiday, or after your move to Maldives, can help doctors find the exact, or similar medication for you.

Police involvement

In the Maldives, police involvement is generally triggered when a tourist engages in antisocial or disruptive behaviour. If it is later identified that the case has underlying mental health-related issues, coordination is then carried out accordingly to ensure the situation is managed from a mental health perspective. If this does not work, then the police would be called to assist the person in talking to a clinician dealing with mental health issues. This would mean traveling to the Greater Male’ area for treatment in a public or private hospital.

Treatment would typically be planned in consultation with the person’s own clinicians from their home country. The objective of the treatment plan is to stabilize the patient so that they are fit to fly and return to their own country. 

Mental Health Hospitalisations

Compulsory hospitalisation

As in the UK, people with mental health needs may be hospitalised and detained without having given their consent if they are deemed to be a danger to themselves or others.

Costs of hospitalisation

You should always take out adequate travel insurance before visiting Maldives, or if you live here.

You will need to cover any costs using your private insurance, or by personal funds if you do not have travel insurance.

Public hospitals do not accept travel and health insurance. However, treatment can be covered through an insurance policy at a private hospital in the Maldives.

You can also pay the hospital using a Debit or Credit card if you do not have Insurance.

Guardianship

Guardianship is a court appointment that authorises a person to act and make decisions on behalf of another adult who it is believed cannot make certain decisions for themselves.  

  • A request for guardianship may be submitted by a spouse, parent, or other family member, as well as by the government legal advisor or his/her representative;
  • A written request must be submitted to the Family Courts in whose jurisdiction the ward is located;
  • For Muslims, the request is submitted to a Sharia court.

Return to the UK

Once the medical team at the hospital has agreed that the patient can be discharged, they may issue a fit to fly letter indicating whether the patient requires a medical escort or can travel by him/herself.  The medical team will also provide a medical report to show to a doctor upon arrival in the UK.

The repatriation can be organised by air/road travel through a medical repatriation company. If the patient needs to be hospitalised in the UK, the transfer will be to their local hospital or institution.

You will need to consult with your insurance company regarding medical repatriation. If repatriation costs are not covered under your policy, then self-funding for repatriation would be required.

Support from other agencies and organisations in Maldives

Public Organisations Telephone/Email Role
IGMH (Indra Gandhi Memorial Hospital) 3335335, info@igmh.gov.mv Provide secure Psychiatric consultation. Psychotherapy. In Emergency cases should consult E.R
CMH (CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH) 1677, info@nmhd.gov.mv Provides mental health services including inpatient, outpatient, emergency, psychological support, counselling, and medication.
HULHUMALE HOSPITAL 3350037, bureau@hmh.mv Provide Psychiatric consultation. Psychotherapy. In Emergency cases should consult E.R
MNDF SENAHIYA MILITARY HOSPITAL 301-9899, info@senahiya.mv Provide Psychiatrist Consultation, counselling, psychotherapy, psychological assessment
ADDU EQUATORIAL HOSPITAL 102/ 6881164, info@aeh.gov.mv Provide Psychiatrist Consultation
UNGOOFAARU REGIONAL HOSPITAL 1553, info@urh.gov.mv Provide Psychiatrist Consultation, counselling, psychotherapy
H.DH KULHUDHUFUSHI HOSPITAL 6528864, info@krh.gov.mv Provide psychiatric consultation, counselling, psychotherapy
TREE TOP HOSPITAL 3351610, care@treetophospital.com Provide Psychiatric consultation. In Emergency cases should consult E.R
ADK HOSPITAL 3313553, info@adkhospital.com Provide Psychiatric consultation. Emergency cases should consult E.R
KULUNU MEDICAL CLINIC 400-3311 Provide Psychiatric Consultation, Counselling, Psychotherapy
IMWB (Institute for Mental Well-being) 3337892, instituteformentalwelbeing@gmail.com Provide Psychiatric Consultation, Psychological profiling, Counselling, psychotherapy
MIPSTAR CLINIC (Maldives Institute for Psychological Services, Training and Research) 3335758/7442626, mipstar10@gmail.com Provides Psychiatric Consultation; Psychological profiling, Counselling, Psychotherapy
ICP (Institute for Counselling and Psychotherapy) 797-8802 / 330-4206, info@icp.mv Provide Psychological profiling, Counselling, Psychotherapy

Other useful information

Travel Advice for people with mental health issues (includes links to UK NGOs/services)

UK organisations

The NHS list of mental health helplines has a list of organisations that can offer advice to those in the UK by phone. These organisations in the UK may be able to help you before you travel, or support family and friends in the UK.

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