Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has conducted 664 life-saving transplants since 2017 in support of World Organ Donation Day.
Celebrating World Organ Donation Day, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 group, has achieved a significant milestone as the UAE's first multi-organ transplant center. Since its establishment in 2017, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has successfully performed 664 life-saving transplants, thanks to the generosity of numerous donors who have given patients the gift of a new and healthy life.
The center has witnessed remarkable growth in its organ transplant volume and has pioneered various complex transplant procedures, including kidney, liver, lung, heart, and pancreas transplants from both living and deceased donors. Furthermore, the hospital has accomplished several firsts in the UAE, such as innovative procedures like combined lung–living transplants, liver-kidney transplants, heart–kidney transplants, and kidney-pancreas transplants. In July 2024 alone, the hospital has already conducted 131 transplants with more procedures scheduled in the coming months.
In line with the UAE government's initiative to promote organ donation registration and raise awareness about its life-saving benefits, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi remains dedicated to transforming patients' lives through advanced medical care and a strong commitment to organ donation.
As the hospital continues to expand its multi-organ transplant center, it takes pride in its caregivers, who are certified as organ transplantation coordinators, and also hosts the only heart failure-certified nurse outside North America. Additionally, it is home to the UAE's first Intensive Care Unit dedicated to combined solid organ transplants and the country's only lung transplant center.
Dr. Bashir Sankari, Chair of the Surgical Subspecialties Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, emphasized the significance of each successful transplant, highlighting the expertise and commitment of the hospital's multidisciplinary team. He noted that these life-saving procedures not only save lives but also inspire advancements in medical research and technology. The hospital is committed to delivering the highest standard of care and continually improving its capabilities to better serve the community and beyond.
The success of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is closely linked to the Hayat initiative, a National Programme for Organ Donation and Transplantation led by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP). In 2023, the hospital installed its first Hayat booth to raise awareness of organ donation. This initiative has played a crucial role in increasing awareness and encouraging organ donor registration across the UAE.
According to the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), a total of 26,565 donors have registered in the Hayat program, while more than 4,000 patients are awaiting donors.