So my mate’s mum got diagnosed with kidney failure last year. Absolute nightmare. She was looking at dialysis three times a week, and the costs were insane. Like, we’re talking thousands every month. He was stressed out of his mind trying to figure out how to pay for it. Then someone told him about Sharjah Charity International and honestly, it changed everything for them.
That’s actually what got me curious about what this charity is doing. Turns out they’re handling way more cases than I realized. In just the first six months of this year, they’ve given out over Dh23 million to help almost 800 patients. That’s a lot of people getting medical help they couldn’t otherwise afford.
Dialysis, cancer meds, surgeries, transplants. Basically all the expensive stuff that wipes people out financially.
The biggest chunk of their money goes to kidney patients. Dh5.7 million for 192 people needing dialysis. My mate’s mum is one of them. Without this help, his family would’ve lost their house by now. Dialysis isn’t something you can skip. You need it or you die. Simple as that. I looked into the costs and honestly it’s shocking. Three sessions a week, each one costing thousands. That adds up to like Dh15,000 to Dh20,000 a month for most people. For someone earning a regular salary, that’s impossible. You’d have to pick between paying rent and getting dialysis. That’s the reality people face here.
Cancer treatment is the second biggest thing they’re funding. Dh5.5 million split between 140 patients. I know how expensive cancer care is here. Chemo, radiation, sometimes multiple surgeries. It adds up to hundreds of thousands of dirhams. Some people I know had to sell property to pay for it. One guy I worked with spent almost Dh400,000 on his wife’s treatment before she passed. He’s still paying off debt. The charity stepping in means people don’t have to make those impossible choices. They don’t have to choose between saving their family or saving their house.
They’re also covering surgeries. Dh2.3 million for 86 people. Some emergencies, some planned stuff people have been putting off. Either way, if you need an operation and you’re broke, they’re helping. I’ve seen people delay surgery for months because they couldn’t afford it. Then their condition gets worse and they end up in worse shape. The charity helps prevent that. You don’t have to wait years and suffer while saving up.
Organ transplants got Dh1.8 million. That’s serious money because transplants are expensive as hell. We’re talking the kind of procedure that would bankrupt most families here. A kidney transplant can cost Dh200,000 or more. A liver transplant is even worse. Most people just don’t have that kind of cash lying around. The charity covering this is genuinely life-changing for people who need it.
| What They’re Paying For | Number of People | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dialysis | 192 | Dh5.7 million |
| Cancer Treatment | 140 | Dh5.5 million |
| Serious Illnesses | 51 | Dh3.4 million |
| Operations | 86 | Dh2.3 million |
| Transplants | Not specified | Dh1.8 million |
| Chronic Diseases | 78 | Dh1.1 million |
| Eye Treatment | 57 | Dh820,000 |
They’re doing other stuff too. Families with young children may also want to understand what free healthcare for children in the UAE includes, especially when planning long term medical care alongside charitable support.
Basically, if you’re sick and you can’t pay for treatment, you might qualify.
The charity isn’t for people with money. It’s for people like my mate’s family who are stuck between a rock and a hard place. You get sick, the bills come, and suddenly you’re choosing between medicine and food. That’s when you need this. I’ve seen families lose everything because of one illness. One person gets cancer or needs a transplant and suddenly they’re homeless. That’s not right. The charity exists to stop that from happening.
They want medical reports from actual doctors. You submit them, and then they work with hospitals and health authorities to check everything out. They’re not just throwing money at anyone. They want to make sure you actually need the treatment and that you can’t afford it.
The hospitals they work with aren’t dodgy either. They partner with decent places that have good reputations. So you’re getting real treatment from real doctors, not some sketchy setup.
The assessment team looks at two things: do you medically need this treatment, and can you actually pay for it? If the answer is yes and no, you’re good. They also check if you can contribute something yourself. It’s fair and transparent.
You send in your medical stuff. They check it. They say yes or no. If yes, they pay the hospital. You get treated.
It’s pretty straightforward. You gather your medical records and send them in. The charity looks at them with healthcare authorities. They’re checking what’s wrong and what you need.
The key thing is they don’t give you cash. They pay the hospital directly. You don’t get a check. You don’t have to manage money. You just show up and get treated. The charity handles all the financial stuff behind the scenes.
This is actually brilliant because hospital billing is a nightmare. Invoices are confusing. Insurance is a pain. Debt collectors call you constantly. By keeping you out of the money side, the charity removes all that stress. You can actually focus on getting better instead of panicking about bills.
They work with hospitals all over the UAE, so you can usually find somewhere close to home. You’re not traveling hours away to get treatment. It’s local. If your condition suddenly becomes critical before scheduled treatment, knowing how the UAE National Ambulance emergency response system works can help you get urgent medical care as quickly as possible.
If you’re worried about other costs while you’re dealing with medical stuff, there are ways to manage it. Some people use flexible rent payment options to free up money during medical emergencies. Worth looking into if you’re in that situation.
This isn’t just charity. It’s the difference between people living and dying.
In the UAE, you’ve got a lot of expats and lower-income people who face a brutal choice when someone gets seriously ill. Do you get treatment and lose everything, or do you skip it and hope? That’s not a choice anyone should have to make. The charity removes that.
They spent Dh23.5 million in six months helping 799 people. That’s about Dh29,400 per person on average. For someone living paycheck to paycheck, that’s huge. It’s the difference between getting chemo and not. It’s the difference between keeping your job and losing it because you’re too sick to work.
My mate’s family would’ve been destroyed without this help. His mum gets her dialysis, his dad keeps his job, and they’re not losing their house. That’s what this money actually does. His sister can still go to school instead of working to help pay bills. That’s the ripple effect of this charity.
It also does something bigger for the community. It shows people that if something bad happens, they’re not completely alone. That matters more than you’d think. People feel safer knowing there’s a safety net. They’re not living in constant fear that one illness will destroy everything.
Donations. Regular people and businesses deciding to help. That’s it.
The government isn’t funding this. It’s coming from people who care. Every dirham that gets donated becomes actual medical care for someone having the worst time of their life.
Mohamed Salim Al Manaei runs the charity’s aid department. He’s been pretty clear that healthcare is their main focus. They believe everyone deserves treatment, not just rich people. But they can’t do it without donations. They need people and companies to keep giving.
The charity is constantly asking for more support because the need is real. More money means more people get helped. Whether someone gives Dh100 or a company gives Dh100,000, it all helps.
Healthcare costs keep going up. The need for this kind of support isn’t going away anytime soon. If anything, it’s getting worse. More people are struggling. More families are one illness away from disaster. That’s why the charity’s work is so critical right now.
How do I actually apply?
Get your medical reports from your doctors. Then contact Sharjah Charity International and send them in. They’ll review your situation and let you know if you qualify. You can reach them directly or go to their office in Sharjah.
What medical stuff do they cover?
Kidney failure, cancer, heart problems, nerve issues, bone problems, eye conditions. They do surgeries, transplants, maternity care, fertility stuff, dental work, and medical equipment. If it’s a real medical need and you can’t pay, they probably help with it.
Can expats get help?
Yeah. They don’t care about your nationality. If you’re living in the UAE and you can’t afford your medical bills, you can apply. They look at your medical situation and your finances, not where you’re from.
What if I already have hospital debt?
They help with that too. They actually set aside money to pay off old hospital bills for people. So if you’re buried in debt from past treatment, they can help clear it. It’s not just for new treatment.
How much help do you actually get?
Depends on what you need and what your financial situation looks like. They look at each person individually. Some people get more, some less. They figure out what you actually need to get treatment and that’s what they try to give you.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical, financial, or legal advice. Details about medical aid programs, eligibility requirements, funding amounts, and application processes may change over time. Always verify the latest information directly with Sharjah Charity International, your healthcare provider, or the relevant UAE health authority before making any medical or financial decisions. Personal stories and examples included in this article are shared for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as guarantees of eligibility, funding approval, or treatment outcomes. Digiflow is not affiliated with Sharjah Charity International and does not process or influence medical aid applications.
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