UAE: Daughter donates kidney to save father in a robotic transplant

Abu Dhabi: In an inspiring story of love and sacrifice, a 29-year-old daughter has given her 70-year-old father a second chance at life by donating one of her kidneys.

The life-saving transplant was performed at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD), where Mamoun Bashir Elnefeidi Ahmed, battling kidney failure, had a robotic transplant, while Noon underwent the traditional organ removal procedure.

The Sudanese family, who reside in Egypt, flew to Abu Dhabi – where Noon’s twin sister lives. They had been thrown into turmoil after a sudden post-chest infection cascade left Ahmed’s kidneys severely damaged. There were hopes that initial dialysis would restore his kidney function, but watching her once vibrant father struggle through grueling dialysis sessions was heart-wrenching for Noon.

“Watching my father’s health slowly decline – struggling to eat properly or walk for long – was incredibly difficult. Seeing him sit in a chair for four hours, three times a week, while the dialysis machine worked beside him was even harder. He would mostly sleep through the sessions, which wasn’t like him at all,” Noon told Gulf News.

Chance to give back
However, soon it became clear that only a transplant could save him.
“I was shocked by how rapidly we had reached this critical point. Just weeks ago, he was in good health. My eldest sister gathered us all and explained the situation and what needs to be done from then.”
Initially, Ahmed was reluctant to accept a kidney from his children, hoping instead for a non-relative donor. But as his health deteriorated rapidly, the family convinced him that a living-related donor would give him the best chance for survival.

Despite concerns from her family, especially about the potential risks to her own future pregnancies, Noon was determined to donate.

“They were worried that, when I get pregnant in the future, I would be classified as a high-risk pregnancy due to having one kidney and would need to be closely monitored. However, there are very few opportunities in this life where we get the chance to give back even 1 per cent of what our parents have given us, and I wasn’t willing to let this one pass.”

‘It felt surreal’
As the day of the surgery approached, Noon faced it with a heart full of faith and a radiant smile.
“It felt surreal – almost as if this was the moment I had been waiting for my entire life.”
Post-surgery recovery went smoothly, and the moment she first saw her father after the transplant is one Noon will never forget.
“My mom and I were walking down the hospital corridor when we unexpectedly ran into him. He was being transferred from the ICU to the ward. The moment our eyes met, all the post-surgical discomfort I had been feeling instantly faded – it was pure joy.”

‘Act of selflessness’

Since the transplant, Noon and her father share a bond deeper than ever.
“Now, we both had a part of us in each other and that's alone says it all. I felt grateful to be by his side, watching him improve with every passing moment. Seeing his face light up when he could finally enjoy a full meal was something I’ll never forget.”

In a message to others considering organ donation, Noon said it’s one of the greatest things anyone can do. “The blessings that followed after the surgery are beyond anything anyone could ever imagine.”

Robotic transplant
Interestingly, CCAD was the first hospital in the UAE and the region to introduce robotic kidney transplants in 2022.

Dr Rashed Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), noted that the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the field of organ transplantation.

“We are immensely proud of CCAD’s remarkable advancements in this field, ensuring the health and well-being of patients across Abu Dhabi. By leveraging cutting-edge medical expertise, infrastructure and fostering a culture of compassion, we are cultivating the world’s most intelligent, patient-centric healthcare system capable of delivering best-in-class care to patients in the Emirate and beyond.”