March 21st, 2017 ― Doha: Qatar Red Crescent's (QRCS) Patient Assistance Fund made remarkable achievements in 2016, serving up to 450 patients with a budget of QR 3.5 million. As such, the fund has since its inception covered more than 2,000 patients, with an overall cost of QR 17,954,000. March 21st, 2017 ― Doha: Qatar Red Crescent's (QRCS) Patient Assistance Fund made remarkable achievements in 2016, serving up to 450 patients with a budget of QR 3.5 million. As such, the fund has since its inception covered more than 2,000 patients, with an overall cost of QR 17,954,000. In a report released recently by QRCS's Social Development Department, the Patient Assistance Fund was launched in 2010 as a small health empowerment program. Over years, it grew rapidly from 170 beneficiaries and QR 1.5 million to 450 beneficiaries and QR 3.5 million. Every year, the fund covers five cochlear implants, seven kidney transplantations, five hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCTs), and 13 Heart transplantations/stenting procedures. These figures are likely to rise in the coming years, by virtue of the generous donations of Qatari benevolent individuals and institutions. The purpose of QRCS's health empowerment program is to help the patients who cannot afford the cost of treatment, by providing treatment, medication, medical equipment, travel costs, psychological support, and health education. This is part of the national health strategy, which seeks to extend the health care umbrella to everyone in Qatar regardless of color and race. Rashid Saad Al-Mohannadi, Director, Social Development Department, said, "The Patient Assistance Fund is one of QRCS's major programs that addresses the needs of the needy. It promotes social cohesion and solidarity between the rich and the poor". To ensure maximum social security inclusion, QRCS coordinates with other medical and charitable institutions, such as Hamad Medical Corporation, the Qatar Society for Rehabilitation of Special Needs, and the Zakat Fund.