MVR 2.5M allocated from Zakat Fund to support bone marrow transplants

Maldives Zakat House has allocated MVR 2.5 million from the Zakat Fund to support bone marrow transplant procedures for patients diagnosed with thalassemia.

The funds were transferred to the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) on Tuesday.

Financial assistance for bone marrow transplants has been provided annually through the Zakat Fund under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and the Ministry of Health on 21 February 2024. Prior to the agreement, the Zakat Fund had also extended financial support for such treatments on multiple occasions since 2014.

Bone marrow transplantation remains the only curative treatment currently available for thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder that requires lifelong blood transfusions and ongoing medical care.

The procedure involves replacing a 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 enhance a patient's quality of life, reduce reliance on regular blood transfusions, and help prevent long-term complications associated with the condition.

Given the highly specialized and costly nature of the treatment, financial assistance plays a crucial role in ensuring eligible patients have access to this life-changing and potentially life-saving procedure.

Maldives is home to the largest population of thalassemia patients in the South East Asia region, with over 600 registered thalassemia patients.

The current administration has launched a 10-year masterplan to prevent and control thalassemia in the Maldives, including plans to build a designated hospital for thalassemia patients.