UAE achieves 1,000th organ donation through Hayat Program

UAE—The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has announced a significant milestone for the National Program for Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Hayat).

Since its inception in 2017, the Hayat program has successfully completed 1,000 post-mortem organ donations.

This achievement highlights the UAE’s leadership in the field of organ transplantation and showcases the collective efforts of federal and local entities in collaboration with the health and academic sectors.

In a recent statement, MoHAP emphasized that this milestone reflects the substantial progress made by the UAE’s healthcare system.

It aligns with the aspirations of the UAE’s leadership and the “We the UAE 2031” vision, which aims to position the country prominently on the global stage.

The announcement was made during the commemoration of World Organ Donor Day on August 13, further highlighting the UAE’s unwavering commitment to excellence in organ donation and transplantation at both regional and global levels.

The Hayat Program adheres to the highest international standards and is a key component of the UAE’s strategy to enhance the competitiveness of its health sector.

Recently, the UAE hosted 11 visits from around 20 international experts who thoroughly reviewed the country’s organ transplantation facilities.

These visits were instrumental in transferring knowledge, building capacity, and validating the UAE’s healthcare system’s readiness and specialized competencies.

This global recognition adds to the impressive track record of the Hayat Program, which has been recognized as the fastest-growing organ donation initiative worldwide over the past five years.

According to the Congress of the International Society for Organ Donation and Procurement (ISODP), the UAE has seen a remarkable 417% increase in organ donation and transplantation growth during this period.

The program’s success also reflects the growing culture of organ donation among citizens and residents, reinforcing the values of sustainability and contributing to the objectives of the Wellbeing Index.

Furthermore, the Hayat Program has been a beacon of hope for patients needing organ transplants, leveraging the UAE’s advanced health system and human and technological capabilities.

The Ministry has been actively organizing campaigns to educate the community about organ donation in collaboration with health sector partners.

These efforts highlight the critical role that individuals can play in saving lives and preventing diseases that lead to organ failure.

Additionally, the Ministry participates in exhibitions and community events to showcase the program’s benefits, sharing live testimonies from patients who have regained hope following successful transplants.

These initiatives aim to raise awareness among community members and institutions while capitalizing on the UAE’s rapidly developing health infrastructure, which attracts global expertise.

Commenting on this achievement, Dr. Ali Abdulkarim Al Obaidli, Chairman of the National Committee for Organ Transplantation, emphasized that the Hayat program was designed to enhance the country’s efforts in promoting organ and tissue donation, in line with global practices.

He highlighted that organ donation not only renews hope for patients and their families but also improves community health and individual quality of life, supporting the prevention of organ failure diseases and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Dr. Al Obaidli also noted that recent positive evaluations by international experts of the UAE’s kidney transplant programs and their praise for the world-class services provided affirm MoHAP’s commitment to excellence and reinforce the UAE’s position as a regional and global leader in organ transplantation.

He clarified that the Ministry’s licensed and specialized facilities for multiple organ transplants ensure life-saving treatments without the need for patients to travel abroad.

Adding to this, Dr. Maria Gomez, Director of the National Centre for Regulating Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues at MoHAP, highlighted that the Hayat program is a collective achievement of various government bodies focused on streamlining organ donation and transplantation.

She called on adults, both citizens and residents, to participate by registering their intent to donate organs, thereby contributing to disease prevention and offering hope to those awaiting transplants.

Dr. Gomez also encouraged the public to draw inspiration from the success stories of donor families and transplant recipients.

To mark World Organ Donor Day, the Hayat program organized a special ceremony in collaboration with local health authorities and healthcare partners.

This included an event with Emirates Health Services and Fujairah Hospital, aimed at raising awareness and educating the community about the critical importance of organ donation.

Another event, in cooperation with the Dubai Health Authority, is also planned to further these educational efforts.

The Hayat program has seen 26,825 individuals register their willingness to donate, with more than 255 already becoming donors.