Zakat Fund Allocates MVR 2.5 Million for Thalassemia Bone Marrow Transplants

The Maldives Zakat House has provided MVR 2.5 million from the Zakat Fund to support bone marrow transplant procedures for thalassaemia patients, with the funds deposited to the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) on Monday.

The financial assistance is part of an ongoing arrangement under a memorandum of understanding signed between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and the Ministry of Health on 21 February, which facilitates annual support for eligible patients requiring the procedure.

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According to the Zakat Fund, similar assistance has also been extended in previous years, including before the formal agreement, dating back to 2014.

Bone marrow transplantation is currently the only curative treatment for thalassaemia, a hereditary blood disorder that requires lifelong blood transfusions and continuous medical care. The procedure replaces damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells from a compatible donor, enabling normal red blood cell production.

Zakat House said that successful transplants can significantly improve patients’ quality of life, reduce dependence on transfusions, and prevent long-term complications, although the treatment remains highly specialised and costly, making financial assistance essential for access.