Maldives Zakat Fund Provides Financial Aid for Cancer Patients

The Maldives Ministry of Islamic Affairs has announced that the Zakat Fund, which provides financial assistance to those in need, has extended medical aid to 59 individuals in March 2024. The fund has been utilized for various purposes, including healthcare, essential aid, and educational scholarships.

According to the ministry, the medical assistance from the Zakat Fund has focused on four key areas: cancer treatment, heart surgeries, organ transplants, and brain surgeries. While the initial allocation for March was USD 44,000, the actual expenditures amounted to USD 57,000, which also included assistance provided in February.

The Maldives Zakat House, a newly established institution overseeing matters related to Zakat, released its monthly statistics for March, revealing that the highest amount of aid from the Zakat Fund last month was issued for cancer treatment, accounting for 28% of the total expenditure. Other major expenditures included 26% for brain surgeries, 4% for liver transplants, and 1% for heart operations, with the remaining 41% utilized for other healthcare treatments.

Why this matters: The Zakat Fund's financial assistance for cancer patients and those requiring critical medical procedures underscores the Maldives government's commitment to supporting its citizens' health and well-being. This initiative shows the potential for faith-based institutions to play a significant role in addressing pressing healthcare needs and providing a social safety net for vulnerable populations.

In addition to medical assistance, the Zakat Fund also extends emergency aid to individuals facing special circumstances, with USD 1,115 allocated for such purposes in March of the previous year. Furthermore, USD 3,000 has been directed towards covering course fees and stipends for scholarship recipients.

The Maldives Zakat House aims to facilitate the collection and distribution of Zakat, announce the Nisab for Zakat Al-Mal biannually, and regularly update the national registry of individuals below the poverty line. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs also decided to issue USD 100,000 from the fund to assist those in need in Palestine and Gaza.

The Zakat Fund's financial assistance has provided vital support to individuals requiring medical treatment, particularly cancer patients, as well as those facing financial hardships due to special circumstances. The fund's allocation of resources demonstrates the Maldives government's efforts to ensure that its citizens have access to necessary healthcare services and educational opportunities, regardless of their financial situation.

Key Takeaways

• Maldives Zakat Fund provided $57,000 in medical aid to 59 individuals in March 2024.
• Highest aid went to cancer treatment (28%), brain surgeries (26%), liver transplants (4%), heart ops (1%).
• Zakat Fund also provided $1,115 in emergency aid and $3,000 in scholarships in March 2023.
• Maldives Zakat House aims to facilitate Zakat collection, announce Nisab, and update poverty registry.
• Maldives government allocated $100,000 from Zakat Fund to assist those in need in Palestine and Gaza.