All expenses for bone marrow transplant to be paid under Zakat Fund

Aids have been offered for bone marrow transplant of 34 children who are affected from Thalassemia under Zakat (alms for the poor) fund.

President of Maldives Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom has on Wednesday handed over the aids for the children affected from Thalassemia who have found bone marrow matches.

Speaking in the ceremony, Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said that these 34 children will receive cash needed for bone marrow transplant during next month and that the fund has capacity to provide cash for all these children at once.

“We have learned that each child would need not less than $20,000 for bone marrow transplant. However, there may be additional charges depending on the hospital preferred by the child. Zakat Fund Committee members have decided to provide these additional charges as well” said Minister Shaheem.

Responding to the rumors of some people regarding Zakat Fund, Minister said that Zakat Fund of Maldives is handled in accordance with Islamic Sharia with great assurance and close monitoring. Any amount of Zakat Fund will be spent after discussing and getting approval from all members in the Zakat Fund Committee, said the Minister.

According to the Islamic Minister, Zakat Fund would be used to provide financial support for poor people, medical treatment for people suffering from serious diseases and to provide education for a number of students.

The ceremony was attended by the President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom, the First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim, some Ministers and Parliament Members and Senior Officials from government companies.