Dubai:The Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) Health Fund Office has collaborated with charities in the UAE and has provided humanitarian aid worth AED 216 million in 2020 to patients with financial constraints.

Patients from more than 50 nationalities facing financial difficulties received aid from the DHA’s Health Fund Office.

Salim Bin Lahej, Head of Health Fund Office at the DHA said that the authority continued its humanitarian work to assist patients in need, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.  Through its Mosada programme, Save a Heart initiative, voluntary clinics at Latifa hospital and several other initiatives the authority reached out to thousands of beneficiaries.

He said that the Health Fund Office, in partnership with the DHA’s Pharmaceutical Services Department provided free medicine home delivery services to patients with various chronic ailments ranging from MS, heart disease, cancer and kidney disease.

He added that 751 patients received medicines and medical equipment worth more than Dh 178.2 million.

He said that Health Fund’s Mosada (assistance) program helped provide medical aid amounting to Dh 19.6 million to 1517 patients.

He also said that in collaboration with Noor Dubai Foundation, humanitarian aid worth Dh 453,410 dirhams benefited 18 patients.

Bin Lahej said as part of the, ‘Save a Heart’ initiative, aid worth Dh 1.5 million was provided to 63 patients.

More than 15 patients with chronic kidney disease were provided with aid worth nearly Dh 219,000. Under the volunteer clinic initiative, 30 patients received aid worth Dh 607,000 dirhams.

Bin Lahej added that during the Holy Month of Ramadan in 2020, the Health Fund Office distributed 21,000 free meals to blue-collar workers and security staff working across DHA facilities in collaboration with Bait Al Khair Society and Roads and Transport Authority. The value of the free meals distributed during the Holy month of Ramadan amounted to nearly Dh 320,000.

Bin Lahej thanked all the strategic partners who supported the Health Fund Office’s humanitarian initiatives including the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation and other charities and philanthropists.

He also highlighted the goals and the important role that the Fund plays in creating and implementing treatment programs to help those in need in partnership with charities across the UAE.

Those interested to volunteer and/or donate, can call the DHA’s toll-free number 800 342 for further information.