Abu Dhabi's recently launched endowment campaign to support patients with chronic diseases who are unable to cover the cost of treatment has raised Dh115 million in its first week.
The money was given to Awkwaf Abu Dhabi for the Life Endowment campaign by 33,000 contributors, including both institutions and people.
“This outpouring of support reflects a deep understanding of the endowment’s power to uplift those most vulnerable, particularly by providing access to sustainable healthcare," said Fahad Abdul Qader Al Qassim, director general of Awqaf Abu Dhabi.
“The campaign's success just one week after launch highlights the UAE's strong commitment to ensuring that patients in need can have access to world-class, sustainable healthcare, enabling them to return to their lives and embrace the future with confidence."
Under the slogan With you for Life, the campaign has been launched during the Year of Community and will help to cover treatment costs for people while supporting the research and development of pharmaceutical drugs. It is hoped the campaign can raise Dh1 billion ($272 million).
Who will benefit from fund?
The fund will be continuous and have no end date, Mr Al Qassim said at the launch.
“Assets will be invested and the returns will be spent on treatment, which means that we have a sustainable financial instrument and product that gives returns every single year,” he added.
“This endowment caters for the weakest point in the community and a lot of those people are actually non-UAE nationals. UAE nationals today, at the end of the day, they do get the treatment from the government by the leadership. Expats today are more vulnerable in terms of the weaker point of the community.
“Endowments are here to stay for generations. It’s not for the next two years, and then it will be mothballed or to a different initiative. No, it will continue to be there, hopefully for generations to come.”
Sustainable plan
The initiative also focuses on sustainability and community development, while highlighting the UAE’s role in championing charitable and humanitarian campaigns.
Dr Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, said when the campaign was launched that it reflected the UAE's commitment to empowering people and improving public health.
“This initiative supports our continuing efforts to enhance quality of life and ensure access to specialised, integrated and effective health care that places patients at the heart of the system,” she said.
Abu Dhabi's Department of Health will oversee the health-related aspects of the endowment, ensuring contributions are directed effectively to support specialised care and reach those who need the funds most.
The campaign has two fund-raising arms – the Emirates Red Crescent Authority, which has been a leading humanitarian entity since 1983, and the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, Abu Dhabi’s official channel to receive social contributions.
How to contribute
People and institutions can make donations using platforms:
- Awqaf Abu Dhabi's digital donation platform
- Send the word “Life" in a text message using the e &rates network to the following numbers: 3557 to donate Dh10, 3556 to donate Dh50, 3225 to donate Dh100 and 3223 to donate Dh500
- Send the word “Life" in a text message using the du network to the following numbers: 3583 to donate Dh10, 3585 to donate Dh50, 3586 to donate Dh100 and 3587 to donate Dh500
- Send a bank transfer to the campaign account at First Abu Dhabi Bank (IBAN: AE930353417000004600004)
- The Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an platform
- You can also donate at Ma’an and Emirates Red Crescent booths in hospitals and public places across the country
