Zakat Fund Supports 24 Bone Marrow Transplant Patients Over Three Years

The National Social Protection Agency has reported that financial assistance from the Zakat Fund has been provided to 24 individuals requiring bone marrow transplants over the past three years.

The disclosure, covering 2023, 2024 and 2025, highlights the fund’s expanding role in supporting critical medical treatment.

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ހަފްތާ 104 ގައި ކުރެވުނު މަސައްކަތްތަކުގެ ތެރެއިން#Hafthaa104 pic.twitter.com/lZBGK4Mxt7— NSPA (@NSPAmaldives) November 20, 2025

According to NSPA, the number of patients receiving aid has increased steadily, although total expenditure has varied with treatment costs. In 2023, five individuals received assistance amounting to MVR 3,851,946.62. Support rose significantly in 2024, when nine patients were assisted at a cost of MVR 7,303,110.34. Preliminary figures for 2025 indicate that 10 individuals have already benefited, with spending recorded at MVR 1,513,821.06.

Government assessments show that the Zakat Fund has become central to national efforts to tackle the Maldives’ high incidence of thalassaemia. Relative to its population, the country records one of the highest global concentrations of children living with the condition. Addressing this challenge requires a policy framework that strengthens treatment services and ensures that bone marrow transplants remain accessible without cost to families.

Under this policy, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s administration has pledged to send 10 children overseas each year for bone marrow procedures funded through state support. The regulatory framework for this initiative was formalised in 2024 through an agreement between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, enabling children to travel abroad for life-saving operations under the Zakat Fund.