Dubai Health has become a prominent figure in organ donation advancement in the UAE through its work with the National Centre for Regulating Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues and the “Hayat” programme.
The organisation has contributed to over 200 organ transplants with support from more than 65 families who chose to donate organs.
“We are pleased to witness the collaborative efforts of our multidisciplinary teams in organ donation. With the community’s continued support and the dedication of healthcare professionals, we are proud to be at the forefront of organ donation, offering hope and a second chance to many patients in need,” Dr. Muna Tahlak, Chief Medical Officer of Dubai Health said, according to the statement by the Dubai Media Office.
Dubai Health makes strides in organ donation with 200+ transplants
This progress stems from collaboration with the Dubai Health Authority and the National Centre at the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
Through this partnership, organ donation referrals proceed according to international standards, providing support for donor families.
As an integrated academic health system, Dubai Health facilities, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), and Al Jalila Foundation strengthen the “Hayat” programme through initiatives that support life-saving efforts.
“Through our unwavering commitment to organ donation and transplantation, we have developed an integrated approach that saves lives and give hope. By collaborating with national entities, we are able to streamline organ donation processes, ensuring that each act of generosity honors the legacy of those who give and transform the lives of patients,” Dr. Zeyad Al Rais, Chair of Critical Care at Dubai Health added.
Rashid Hospital, part of Dubai Health, has emerged as the UAE’s leading organ donation centre, facilitating over 200 transplants that impact lives in the UAE and beyond. To support families making these decisions, Dubai Health opened a dedicated Hayat lounge at Rashid Hospital.
Dubai Health also provides care for organ failure patients, with services at Dubai Hospital, Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Al Towar and Al Barsha Dialysis Centres. Since 2016, surgeons have performed over 160 kidney transplants, including 54 for children.
Dr. Maria Gomez, Director of the National Centre for the Regulation of Human Organs and Tissues Transplantation, pointed out that the efforts of local and federal authorities in supporting donation and transplantation is “a fundamental requirement for developing healthcare services and one of the main pillars for the development of the Hayat program to support organ transplantation in the UAE,” according to the statement.
Dr. Gomez commended the role of all hospitals in the country, including Dubai Health hospitals, and lauded the contributions of other hospitals working with local health authorities.
For kidney failure patients, Al Jalila Foundation launched the second edition of its fundraising campaign, “Your Donation Saves Lives.”
The 2024 campaign raised over AED 46 million to support more than 65 kidney failure patients with surgeries, dialysis, and post-transplantation care. The first edition, launched in 2021, funded approximately 30 percent of all kidney transplants in Dubai.
Dubai Health has also focused on community education about organ donation. Throughout last year, the organisation participated in global observances of kidney transplantation and organ donation, including educational sessions and the First Middle East Ata’a Al Hayat Course on Organ Donation organised by MOHAP and hosted at MBRU.
First-year medical students at MBRU created a storybook titled “Ahmed’s Big Adventure” to explain organ donation to young audiences. Dubai Health hosted reading sessions at its Nad Al Hamar Health Center to teach children about organ donation. The storybook is available for purchase through Al Jalila Foundation’s online charity shop, with proceeds supporting patients with organ failure.
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