Dubai businessman donates Dh3 billion to build hospital in memory of daughter lost to cancer
A local businessman has announced a donation of approximately Dh3 billion to the Fathers Endowment campaign launched by the Dubai Ruler on February 21.
Mirwais Azizi, founder and chairman of the Azizi Group, donated the amount in memory of his daughter Farishta Azizi, who died after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.
The funds will be used to build a non-profit hospital in Dubai that will offer free and affordable care to cancer patients in the UAE. 'The hospital will also include a research facility which will help introduce the latest technology in cancer treatment here,' he said, speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the Arab Hope Maker 2025, which took place in Dubai on Sunday. 'People in the UAE will not have to go to Europe or any other place to get the best cancer treatment.'
He said that construction of this hospital would begin this year and that similar hospitals would be constructed in several countries worldwide.
The Fathers Endowment initiative by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, honours fathers in the UAE by establishing a sustainable endowment fund, with proceeds dedicated to providing treatment and healthcare to people in need.
The campaign's launch continues Sheikh Mohammed's established practice of launching charitable and humanitarian initiatives during Ramadan.
An architect by training, Farishta Azizi was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago. Even though she went into remission after initial treatments, the cancer returned aggressively.
Speaking through a video played at the event, her brother and CEO of the Azizi Group, Farhad Azizi, said that the family were able to give the best care to Farishta. 'We were lucky enough to be able to give her the best medical care we could,' he said. 'But we know not everyone is able to afford to do that. So, we hope this donation will help those who need it the most.'
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