Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Advances in medical technology are transforming organ transplantation in the UAE, with doctors expecting rapid growth in the sector as innovation continues and public awareness improves.
But the positive outlook isn't without its challenges: demand for organs still outstrips supply. Thousands are still waiting for a lifeline.
For organ donation and transplantation, these advances are translating to improved patient outcomes, less invasive operations, and faster recovery, according to one Abu Dhabi-based expert.
"Robotic surgery offers greater precision, smaller incisions, and reduced blood loss," said Dr Bashir Sankari, Director of the Transplant Programme at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
He added that continued advances in artificial intelligence, organ preservation, and donor-recipient matching are expected to further strengthen the UAE's transplant programme.
"I expect transplantation in the UAE to grow rapidly as the national donor registry expands and advances in organ preservation and artificial intelligence improve organ availability and donor-recipient matching," he said.
While the sector has come a long way, Dr Sankari pointed out that the gap between demand and supply is yet to be closed. There are still more patients searching for hope than donors who can offer it.
The UAE's Hayat Programme for organ and tissue donation and transplantation has helped raise awareness in recent years. And every year on World Organ Donation Day, health experts take the opportunity to encourage more people to register as donors.
"Organ donation is one of the greatest gifts a person can offer to another human being," said Dr Olithselvan Arikichenin, Consultant Hepatologist at Burjeel Medical City.
A single donor can save several lives through organ donation. Those who lost their vision may get it back. Burn victims can get a new lease of life with donated tissues.
Dr Jaipal, Specialist in Urology at LLH Hospital, Musaffah, urged residents to make the commitment, noting that every pledge has the potential to inspire others. "Pledge your organs today… and let your compassion live on to light up someone's tomorrow," he said.
Dr Bhanuprakash Kadaba Bhaskar, Specialist in Critical Care Medicine at Medeor Hospital, Dubai, said one of the most important things a potential donor can do is discuss the decision with their family.
Drawing on his experience in intensive care, he said he has seen firsthand how a single decision can change the course of two families' lives. "In the ICU, we sometimes see one family's grief become another family's hope because of the decision to donate," he said. "On the hardest day of their lives, families may be asked about their loved one's wishes, and it helps greatly if they already know the answer."
He encouraged everyone to make their wishes known: "Consider registering as an organ donor, and make sure you have that conversation with your family."
