Dubai Health Authority unveils new rules to boost organ donation and transplantation

Dubai: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA), has announced new standards for organ and tissue donation and transplantation that will help improve patient care and save lives.

These updated standards will directly benefit the public in different ways such as:

Expanding the donor pool – By including protocols for organ donation after brain death (DBD) and circulatory death (DCD), more organs will be available for transplantation, offering life-saving opportunities to more patients.

Improved outcomes for recipients – The new standards for kidney, corneal, and tissue transplants focus on better matching of donors and recipients, leading to higher success rates and enhanced recovery.

Enhanced safety and ethics – Strict ethical guidelines and safety protocols will ensure that organ donation is conducted with the highest standards, building trust in the system.

Access to cutting-edge care – The updated kidney transplant services and the new standards for liver, pancreas, heart, and lung transplants will provide access to the latest advancements in medical research and post-transplant care.

Apart from improving healthcare services, these updates aim to foster a culture of organ donation, making it easier for individuals to register as donors and support the sustainability of transplant programmes in the UAE.

Dr Hanan Obaid Director of Health Policies and Standards Department at DHA’s Health Regulation Sector, said: “The development of these standards is a testament to DHA’s dedication to ensuring that organ and tissue donation and transplantation services adhere to the highest ethical and medical benchmarks. These frameworks are essential for enhancing trust, improving outcomes, and ultimately saving lives.”

Highlighted the significance of these standards, she said: ““The establishment and continuous refinement of these standards reflect our unwavering commitment to saving lives through innovative and ethical medical practices. By fostering collaboration across the healthcare sector, we are creating a more efficient and compassionate system that honours the gift of life from donors and their families.”

Ayesha Al Falahi, Senior Consultant, Organ Donation and Transplantation at the DHA, added: “By aligning local practices with international best practices and advancing our healthcare systems, we aim to establish the UAE as a global leader in healthcare innovation, reflecting our dedication to excellence and patient-centred care.”

The newly developed DHA standards were announced at workshop for DHA licensed hospitals which was held in collaboration with the Donation and Transplantation Institute (DTI) Foundation- Spain and National Center of Organ Donation and Transplant, UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention.

The workshop concluded with a call to action for increased collaboration among healthcare institutions, government bodies, and the public to support the sustainability of organ donation and transplantation programs. The DHA said it continues to champion innovative strategies to save lives and enhance the UAE’s healthcare landscape and urged potential donors to register in Hayat, the national registry for organ donors.