UAE's First Multi-Organ Transplant Centre Celebrates Pioneering Success In Organ Donation

Marking World Organ Donation Day, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 group, celebrated a major milestone as the UAE’s first multi-organ transplant centre. Since starting in 2017, the clinic has performed 664 life-saving transplants. These procedures were made possible by numerous donors who provided patients with the invaluable gift of a new, healthy life.

Over the years, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has seen significant growth in its organ transplant volume. The centre has conducted various complex transplant procedures, including kidney, liver, lung, heart, and pancreas transplants from both living and deceased donors. The hospital has also achieved several UAE firsts in multi-organ transplants.

The hospital's pioneering procedures include combined lung-living transplants, liver-kidney transplants, heart-kidney transplants, and kidney-pancreas transplants. As of July 2024, the hospital has conducted 131 transplants this year alone. More procedures are scheduled for the coming months.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi supports the UAE government's efforts to promote organ donation registration and raise awareness about its benefits. The clinic is dedicated to transforming patients' lives through advanced medical care and a strong commitment to organ donation.

The hospital takes pride in its caregivers certified as organ transplantation coordinators. It also hosts the only heart failure-certified nurse outside North America. Additionally, it houses the UAE’s first Intensive Care Unit dedicated to combined solid organ transplants and the country’s only lung transplant centre.

Dr. Bashir Sankari, Chair of the Surgical Subspecialties Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, stated: "Each successful transplant represents a new chapter in a patient’s life. Our dedicated multidisciplinary team’s expertise and commitment have made these life-saving procedures possible, bringing renewed hope and healing to countless families."

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s success is closely tied to the Hayat initiative. This National Programme for Organ Donation and Transplantation is led by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP). In 2023, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi installed its first Hayat booth to raise awareness of organ donation.

The initiative has been instrumental in raising awareness and encouraging organ donor registration across the UAE. According to MoHAP, a total of 26,565 donors have registered in the Hayat programme with more than 4,000 patients waiting for donors.

Dr. Sankari added: "Our transplant programme not only saves lives but also inspires advancements in medical research and technology. We are committed to providing the highest standard of care and continuously improving our capabilities to better serve our community and beyond."

The continuous growth of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's multi-organ transplant centre highlights its dedication to medical excellence. The clinic remains committed to enhancing patient care through innovative practices and ongoing support for organ donation initiatives.

With inputs from WAM