Abu Dhabi: The Endowments and Minors Funds Authority (Awqaf Abu Dhabi), in collaboration with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, has introduced the Life Endowment campaign aimed at supporting individuals with chronic diseases under the slogan, “With you for Life”. This initiative is part of a broader effort to foster generosity and solidarity, reflecting the Year of Community as launched by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
According to Emirates News Agency, the campaign is designed to enhance healthcare service sustainability and cover treatment costs for society’s most vulnerable members. This initiative is a key component of the Healthcare Endowment, which was launched by Awqaf Abu Dhabi and the Department of Health in May 2024 with a value of AED1 billion. The primary objective is to provide continuous and sustainable funding for chronic disease treatment and to strengthen the healthcare system’s capacity to tackle future challenges.
The campaign aims to collect contributions for an endowment that will fund treatment expenses for chronic disease patients in need, as well as provide essential medications and mental health support. The funds raised will be invested to maximise returns, which will then be channelled into healthcare programmes aimed at improving quality of life and promoting public health, thereby contributing to a healthy and sustainable society.
Additionally, the initiative seeks to spread awareness about the values of endowment and reinforce the concept of waqf as a tool for sustainability and community development. It highlights the UAE’s leadership role in supporting charitable and humanitarian campaigns and advancing social investments to aid those in need.
Fahad Abdulqader Al Qassim, Director-General of Awqaf Abu Dhabi, underscored the vital role of endowments in community development, particularly in supporting crucial sectors like healthcare. “We will oversee the management of these contributions by investing them, preserving their value, and ensuring the sustainability of their resources to empower the growth of our initiatives and maximise their social impact,” he stated. He also highlighted the campaign’s potential to provide hope for chronic disease patients and encouraged active participation in the initiative.
Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, emphasized the campaign’s sustainable model for providing care to those most in need, reinforcing community partnership and social solidarity values. She assured that the Department of Health will continue to oversee the health-related aspects of the endowment to ensure effective support for specialised care.
The campaign has established two fundraising arms: Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), a leading humanitarian organization since 1983, and the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, the official channel for social contributions in Abu Dhabi. Ahmed Sari Al Mazrouei, ERC Secretary-General, expressed the organization’s commitment to sustainable community funding for healthcare, particularly for complex and high-cost medical treatments.
Abdullah Hamid Al Ameri, Director-General of the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, noted the partnership’s aim to foster shared responsibility and community giving, channeling contributions to address social priorities in Abu Dhabi’s health sector.
The campaign provides multiple contribution channels, including a digital donation platform, SMS donations, bank transfers, and kiosks located in hospitals and public spaces across the UAE.