Arrangements will be made for police officers who retire after completing 25 years of service to continue to receive the same medical benefits they enjoyed while serving, Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed said last night.

Speaking at the 93rd anniversary celebrations of the Maldives Police Service on last night, CP Ahmed said the changes form part of broader efforts to improve welfare for serving and retired officers.

Under the new arrangement, officers who retire after 25 years of service will be covered by a special health insurance package that provides medical benefits equivalent to those available during active service.

At present, the police health insurance scheme covers officers as well as their spouses, children and parents.

The commissioner also announced planned changes to the way retirement allowances are calculated for officers who retire honorably from the service.

He said retirement benefits would be revised to better reflect an officer's length of service.

"I am pleased to announce today that those who retire after 25 years will receive medical treatment on the same basis as serving police officers," CP Ahmed said.

He added that the government is placing a high priority on strengthening the police service by expanding opportunities and improving benefits for officers.

Police and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) officers are covered under dedicated health insurance arrangements administered through the state run Aasandha scheme, which also provides access to treatment at private hospitals for eligible beneficiaries and their families.