The Al Qassimi Hospital in Sharjah, under the Emirates Health Services (EHS), has coordinated the transfer of organs from a brain-dead Emirati donor, marking the first such case in the nation. The EHS preserved the organs of the deceased and implemented donation procedures in accordance with the applicable protocols for transplanting organs and tissues.
The family of the deceased gave their approval for the procedure, which was carried out in coordination with the National Centre for Regulating the Transfer and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues, overseen by the Ministry of Health and Prevention. This is part of the “Hayat” programme encouraging any person in the UAE over the age of 21 and holding an Emirates ID to register his/her desire to donate organs after brain death. It is also a solution that contributes to making a positive impact on the lives of the recipients.
The family of the deceased provided their approval for donating all of the patient’s healthy organs, believing that "Together we cultivate hope" to save the lives of patients with organ failure. This was after the patient's brain death was confirmed as a result of severe brain haemorrhage resulting in complete brain damage. Al Qassimi Hospital medical team contacted the National Centre for Regulating the Transfer and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues to oversee the transfer of more than one organ benefitting more than one patient.
Dr. Issam Al Zarooni, Executive Director of Medical Services at EHS, confirmed that the National Centre’s efforts would support the establishment of a national organ bank and contribute towards raising awareness about the importance of organ donation in saving the lives of those in need. Dr. Al Zarooni commended the decision the Emirati family took, adding that it again reflects the values and genuineness of Emirati people, and brings hope to patients. The Emirates Health Services continues its relentless efforts to be a leading institution and enhance the quality of community life by supporting all its health facilities in line with its strategic objectives and directions.
Dr. Aref Al Nouriani, Director of Al Qassimi Hospital in Sharjah, added that the National Centre for Regulating the Transfer and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues at the Hospital, which was inaugurated in 2020 in partnership with Mohammed bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences aims to keep abreast of the latest international health standards to realise the UAE’s aspirations to achieve leadership and excellence at the regional and global levels in the field of transplantation and organs cultures and human tissues. This contributes to the objectives of Federal Decree-Law No. (5) of 2016 on the Regulation of Human Organs and Tissues Transplantation.
Dr. Al Nouriani thanked the family of the donor stating that their generosity provides hope for numerous patients suffering from organ failure, especially those with heart disease, pulmonary failure, liver fibrosis and kidney failure, where transplants contribute to treatment and full recovery.
The UAE has authorized transfers and transplants of human organs and tissues in accordance with the provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. (5) of 2016 on the Regulation of Human Organs and Tissues Transplantation. The law aims to regulate and develop transplantation operations, preservation, and transfer of human organs, protect the rights of persons who receive (recipients) and persons who donate (donors) human organs and tissues, and the licensing of health facilities, determining their responsibilities for organ donation and transplantation, preventing the exploitation of patient's or donor’s needs, as well as ban human organs and tissues trafficking.