Maldives has temporarily suspended sending new patients to Amrita Hospital in India following the expiry of its agreement with the hospital.

Aasandha Managing Director Aminath Zeeniya told Mihaaru News today that new referrals have been paused while the agreement is under review.

"Sending new cases has been halted," she said.

Zeeniya said patients who are already receiving treatment at Amrita Hospital will continue to receive care without interruption.

According to Aasandha, the previous agreement with the hospital provided for separate billing for individual procedures.

Aasandha is now working with the hospital to establish a package-based treatment agreement instead.

It is not yet clear when negotiations will be completed or when a new agreement will be signed, after which new patient referrals are expected to resume.