Abu Dhabi to cover medical costs for those with chronic illnesses
A new campaign in Abu Dhabi aims to enhance the sustainability of healthcare services and cover treatment costs for the most vulnerable segments of society. This initiative is part of the larger Healthcare Endowment launched in May 2024 with a value of Dh1 billion.
The Endowments and Minors Funds Authority (Awqaf Abu Dhabi), in collaboration with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, has launched the Life Endowment campaign to support chronic disease patients under the slogan, "With you for Life".
The move aims to promote generosity and solidarity as embodied by the Year of Community, launched by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The goal is to enhance the sustainability of healthcare services, provide continuous and sustainable funding to aid chronic disease treatment for the most vulnerable segments of society, and strengthen the healthcare system's capacity to address future challenges.
It aims to collect contributions to establish an endowment whose investments will cover treatment expenses for chronic disease patients in need and provide essential medications and mental health support.
The campaign seeks to invest the funds raised to maximise the endowment returns, which will be directed to healthcare programmes that help improve the quality of life and promote public health, contributing to developing a healthy and sustainable society.
The initiative also focuses on spreading the values of endowment and reinforcing the concept of waqf as a tool for sustainability and community development, while highlighting the UAE's leading role in championing charitable and humanitarian campaigns and driving social investments to serve those in need.
Fahad Abdulqader Al Qassim, Director-General of Awqaf Abu Dhabi, emphasised the essential role of endowments in community development, particularly in supporting vital sectors such as healthcare.
"We will oversee the management of these contributions by investing them, preserving their value, and ensuring the sustainability of their resources to empower the growth of our initiatives and maximise their social impact."
He added that the campaign represents new hope for chronic disease patients and plays a crucial role in providing quality healthcare for those unable to afford treatment costs, encouraging everyone to actively participate in this initiative.
The campaign announced it's two fundraising arms: the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), which has been a leading humanitarian entity since its establishment in 1983, dedicated to helping the vulnerable and in need both locally and globally; and the Authority of Social Contribution - Ma'an, the Government of Abu Dhabi's official channel to receive social contributions, which channels contributions towards the various sectors to promote community development and build a cooperative, active and inclusive society.
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