Through this programme, the authority reaches out to both nationals and residents who require medical treatment but cannot afford it.
The Dubai Health Authority, DHA, and Axios Systems, a leading international IT Service Management software company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support DHA’s Mosaadah (assistance) programme, which aims to provide medical treatment for patients with financial constraints.
The Mosaadah programme is one of the key initiatives of the DHA. Through this programme, the authority reaches out to both nationals and residents who require medical treatment but cannot afford it.
The MoU was signed by Essa Al Maidoor, Director-General of the DHA, and Sami Sibai, Business Development Director, Middle East, Axios Systems in the presence of Salim bin Lahej, Head of the Mosaadah programme and a number of high-ranking officials.
Al Maidoor highlighted the importance of such initiatives which help alleviate the suffering of the needy and to ensure that they have access to high-quality healthcare. As part of the programme, Axios Systems and Moussadah will cover the cost of medication for chronic patients in DHA hospitals who cannot afford the cost of their medications.
Salem bin Lahej, head of the Mosaadah programme, said, “This is a joint initiative to ensure that patients with chronic diseases do not stop taking their courses of treatment because they cannot afford it. We would like to see these patients complete their treatment so that they have the best chance to cure themselves. This partnership will look into provision of those medications for chronic diseases that are generally expensive. The five categories we will cover include medication for cancer, asthma, rheumatology, multiple sclerosis and injections that are needed for prevention of blindness treatment.”
He continued, “The cost of these medications is quite expensive. For example, patients seeking blindness prevention treatment require four to five injections over a course of few months and each injection is Dh10,000. Patients undergoing chemotherapy require several cycles of treatment and each cycle costs approximately Dh8,000.”
Sibai said, “We will help patients who cannot continue to pay for their medication. Our aim is to ensure that lack of funds does not get in their way, so that patients, particularly those with chronic diseases, are able to complete their courses of treatment and be as healthy as possible.”
Bin Lahej went on to say, “In 2013, the programme reached out to 600 patients and we spent Dh4million on their treatment and Dh280,000 on equipment for them, which included beds, wheelchairs, oxygen machines etc.. We are very thankful to the various sponsors who helped us in our endeavour. We believe that this MoU will provide a further boost to this initiative.”
