Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has been named a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Adult Multi-Organ Transplants by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), recognising its capabilities in the field of organ transplantation.
The recognition highlights Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s dedication to advancing innovation in transplant care, promoting collaboration and investing in research and education.
CoEs are healthcare facilities that are designated by DoH to provide specialised programmes in particular medical areas, in line with best practices and the highest quality standards. These organisations stand out with their world-class infrastructure, highly skilled and internationally accredited workforce, multidisciplinary resources, cutting-edge technologies and latest healthcare innovations, and clinical and scientific research while delivering best-in-class healthcare to patients.
Since the opening of the transplant centre in 2017, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has achieved remarkable milestones. In 2025, the centre performed the region’s first robotic lung transplant, and in 2024, it performed the UAE’s first combined heart and lung transplant. The year before, in 2023, the centre carried out the region’s first combined lung-liver transplant, as well as the UAE’s first triple-paired kidney donation exchange.
Other notable achievements include pioneering Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) and liver transplantation in the UAE and a simultaneous robotic kidney transplant procedure.
DoH recognises Cleveland Clinic’s excellence
Dr Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH, commented: “The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi is pleased to designate Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi as a Centre of Excellence for Adult Multi-Organ Transplants. This recognition highlights the department’s commitment to continuously expanding patient access to world-class healthcare services in the emirate.
“Through CoEs, we aim to elevate the quality of life of our community members and safeguard their health based on international standards and best practices in healthcare. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi exemplifies our vision of healthcare excellence, delivering best-in-class care through innovative procedures in multi-organ transplants, a highly skilled workforce, and advanced infrastructure.”
Dr Georges-Pascal Haber, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, added: “It is an honour and privilege to receive the Centre of Excellence designation for Adult Multi-Organ Transplants. This recognition reinforces our mission to provide advanced, life-saving care to patients in the UAE and beyond.
“It reflects the trust placed in our institution by the UAE leadership and highlights the expertise and world-class care we bring to Abu Dhabi and the region. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has completed over 1,000 organ transplants since the launch of the programme in 2017, achieving outcomes that match or exceed that of top-decile academic medical centres globally. Many of these procedures are first of their kind in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and the region.”
CoEs must meet the minimum standard requirements issued by DoH, which outline the necessary criteria and prerequisites for licensed healthcare facilities seeking to acquire the designation. DoH outlined six key indicators for evaluation – clinical outcomes, patient experience, patient safety and quality of medical services, levels of employee competency, and the facilities’ medical education, research strategies, and residency programmes.
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