Needy chronic patients get DHA help to pay for medication

Dubai: A Jordanian with blood cancer, a Ukrainian with breast cancer and three visually impaired patients are among the first beneficiaries of a far-reaching move by Dubai Health Authority (DHA) which has started covering the cost of medication for needy, chronic patients in public hospitals from April 1.

The gesture, extended under the DHA’s charitable Mosaadah programme in partnership with global consulting firm Axios International, is aimed at enabling poor patients to complete long-term treatment which can otherwise prove to be a financial burden on them.

Salem Bin Lahej, head of the Mosaadah programme, said: “Our programme will cover five categories of patients – those suffering from cancer, asthma, rheumatology, multiple sclerosis and blindness.” He said the cost of medications in all these cases are expensive. “For example, a cancer patient may require several cycles of chemotherapy, each costing around Dh8,000. Similarly, a visually impaired patient seeking treatment to prevent total blindness may require a series of injections, but may not be able to afford it as each injection costs Dh12,000. In such cases, we evaluate the patient’s financial backgrounds and help them complete the course. The aim is to ensure that lack of funds does not come in the way of long-term treatment.”

Strict criteria is applied to potential beneficiaries. “They can be of any age and nationality, but must fall under the five categories and be undergoing treatment at one of Dubai’s public hospitals,” he added.

To volunteer and/or donate to the Mosaadah programme, call DHA at 04-219 7474.