Riyadh: The Shefaa Platform, launched in early 2020, has helped a remarkable 8,000 people get treated so far, proof of the significant efforts made to provide healthcare to patients in need throughout the Kingdom.Shefaa, an electronic platform affiliated with the Health Endowment Fund and a government donation platform, facilitates provision of treatment, medical devices, and medications to the needy in the Kingdom. It addresses the needs of vulnerable groups through community partnerships and sustainable development initiatives.It ensures access to treatment services and medicines for underprivileged individuals and in emergency cases of individuals who lack financial means. It collaborates with more than 70 health associations in the Kingdom.Women account for 51%, men for 49% of cases treated through the platform.Through the platform, patients may get care in 15 different medical specialties, with focus on blood and cancer treatment (23%), kidney diseases (22%), and eye diseases (16%). Other importa nt areas, such as general surgery, heart and arterial diseases, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, and neurology are also covered, with allocation based on treatment cost, duration, and the number of patients treated.The platform covers 13 administrative regions of the Kingdom, including governorates and their villages. The Riyadh region received the highest share (29%), followed by Makkah (22%) and Madinah (13%).Generous donations from community members played a vital role in treating these cases; there have been over 5 million donations totaling more than SAR220 million, which directly supported the treatment of patients in need.Source: Saudi Press Agency