Burjeel Medical City Achieves Milestone With First Deceased Donor Liver Transplant

In a significant medical milestone, Burjeel Medical City (BMC) in Abu Dhabi, a leading healthcare facility under Burjeel Holdings, has achieved a major success by performing a liver transplant surgery on a 66-year-old patient, Fatima. This operation marks a pivotal moment in her life, offering her a fresh start after battling liver cirrhosis and liver cancer for two years. The surgery was made possible through the organ donation from a 23-year-old deceased donor.

Fatima's journey towards recovery began with her diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis, a condition characterized by the immune system attacking the liver cells. In 2022, her condition escalated to decompensated liver cirrhosis and further developed into hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) a year later. The severity of her condition led her to seek medical advice from BMC, where she was under the care of Dr. Rehan Saif, Director of the Burjeel Abdominal Multi-Organ Transplant Program.

Upon BMC's inclusion in the Deceased Donor Liver Transplant Program, Fatima underwent a thorough pre-liver transplant evaluation and was placed on the waitlist at the Emirates Organ Transplant Centre and Ministry of Health and Prevention. Despite being called for transplantation three times previously without success due to mismatch issues, the fourth call was the charm when the organ transplant team confirmed a suitable donor liver.

The operation involved a comprehensive effort from a multidisciplinary team at BMC, including nursing, rehabilitation, administrative staff, Transplant Manager, Transplant Coordinator, and a social worker. Dr. Rehan Saif highlighted the complexity of the surgery but reassured that Fatima is on her way to recovery with a healthy functioning liver graft.

This successful procedure underscores the UAE's commitment to advancing healthcare services and its capability to perform complex medical treatments. Dr. Rehan expressed enthusiasm about expanding BMC's transplant services to address both adult and pediatric liver diseases through deceased and living donor liver transplantation. This initiative not only enhances the healthcare offerings in the UAE but also extends its benefits beyond its borders.

The story of Fatima's successful liver transplant is not just about medical triumph; it's a testament to the collaborative efforts of healthcare professionals and the importance of organ donation programs. It highlights how advanced medical practices and compassionate care can significantly improve patients' lives, reinforcing the UAE's position as a hub for premier healthcare services.

With inputs from WAM