Abu Dhabi’s Hayat programme surpasses 1,000 organ transplants, solidifying the Emirate’s role as a regional transplant leader.
ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi has achieved a historic medical milestone, performing over 1,000 organ transplants since the launch of the “Hayat” programme in 2017. The National Programme for Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissue has now reached a total of 1,090 transplants, with 2024 marking a record-breaking year of 290 procedures.
These included seven heart transplants, 142 kidney transplants, 117 liver transplants, 22 lung transplants, and two pancreas transplants. Advanced techniques such as robotic-assisted and multi-organ surgeries have further enhanced precision, recovery, and patient outcomes.
The achievement is the result of coordinated efforts across four leading centres — Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Burjeel Medical City, and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s first multi-organ transplant centre, performed 241 transplants in 2024 alone, including the nation’s first combined heart and lung procedure. Other national firsts include a combined lung-liver transplant and triple-paired kidney exchange.
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City excelled with 114 kidney transplants in 2024, while Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City led in research and education, performing the UAE’s first COVID-positive organ donation. Burjeel Medical City made its mark with groundbreaking paediatric and ABO-incompatible transplants.
Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, praised the milestone as a testament to the Emirate’s advanced healthcare capabilities. She urged the public to register as organ donors, noting that one donor can save multiple lives.
