Maldives Zakat House has provided USD 162,000 from the Zakat Fund to support bone marrow transplant procedures for thalassemia patients. The funds have now been deposited to the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).
The Zakat Fund has been providing financial support for bone marrow transplants for thalassaemia patients annually under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and the Ministry of Health on 21 February 2024. Prior to the signing of the MoU, the Zakat Fund had also provided financial assistance for such treatments on several occasions since the year 2014.
Bone marrow transplantation is currently the only curative treatment available for thalassaemia, a hereditary blood disorder that requires lifelong blood transfusions and medical care. The procedure involves replacing the patient’s defective bone marrow with healthy stem cells from a compatible donor, enabling the body to produce normal red blood cells.
Successful transplantation can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life, reduce dependence on regular transfusions, and prevent long-term complications associated with the disease. As the treatment is highly specialised and costly, financial assistance plays a vital role in ensuring that eligible patients can access this life-changing and potentially life-saving procedure.
The Maldives has a relatively large number of thalassaemia patients in terms of population, and the government gives priority to strengthen the services provided to patients.