Oman marks milestones with 40 kidney transplants
Published: 07:12 PM,Dec 21,2024 | EDITED : 11:12 AM,Dec 22,2024
Oman marks milestones with 40 kidney transplants
MUSCAT: In 2024, as many as 40 kidney transplants were successfully carried out in Oman, saving lives of individuals who were on critical dialysis. Of these, 30 kidneys were sourced from living donors, while 10 were obtained from deceased individuals, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH), represented by the National Programme for Organ Transplant Department.
Oman maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards commercial organ transplants, with violators facing criminal prosecution by the Criminal Investigation Department. The National Programme for Organ Transplant Department has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all donations are voluntary, without any commercial interest.
Additionally, 9 liver transplants were performed this year, with 7 sourced from living donors and 2 posthumous. The country also implanted 40 corneas into patients in need, showing significant progress. A noteworthy development is the rise in registrations for organ donation, with 17,000 people now registered on the Ministry’s Shifa application, a significant increase from 11,000 in 2023.
Speaking to the Observer on the sidelines of the Omani Organ Donation Day at the Hormuz Grand Hotel, Dr Ahmed al Busaidy, Director of the National Organ Transplant Programme, stated that individuals with blood, familial, or emotional ties to the patient are eligible to donate organs.
“We will carefully review both donor and recipient details to ensure that the process remains free of remuneration and without any commercial involvement,” Dr Al Busaidy emphasised.
The event, held annually on December 19, was presided over by Dr Said bin Harib al Lamki, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health for Health Affairs, with the attendance of several officials from the Ministry of Health and civilian and military medical institutions, along with medical personnel.
Dr Al Busaidy further highlighted that the National Organ Transplant Programme has made significant strides in its mission, noting that five families this year consented to donate the organs of their brain-dead relatives. This resulted in 10 kidney transplants and 2 liver transplants, marking the highest number of posthumous organ donations since the programme’s inception in 1988.
One of the year's medical milestones was the successful transfer of two kidneys from brain-dead donors between two hospitals, marking the first of its kind. Plans are underway to expand the Cornea Programme to additional hospitals.
During the event, Dr Brian Alvarez from the Spanish Donation & Transplantation Institute (DTI) Foundation presented insights from global practices in organ donation, highlighting success stories and the life-changing impact of organ transplants.
This celebration is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to promote organ donation services, raise awareness about their importance and encourage more people to register for posthumous organ donation on the “Shifa” app. The event also saw the official activation of the National Organ Transplant Programme webpage on the e-health portal and the introduction of the 'Ataa Card', recognising the humanitarian contributions of organ donors.
Oman maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards commercial organ transplants, with violators facing criminal prosecution by the Criminal Investigation Department. The National Programme for Organ Transplant Department has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all donations are voluntary, without any commercial interest.
Additionally, 9 liver transplants were performed this year, with 7 sourced from living donors and 2 posthumous. The country also implanted 40 corneas into patients in need, showing significant progress. A noteworthy development is the rise in registrations for organ donation, with 17,000 people now registered on the Ministry’s Shifa application, a significant increase from 11,000 in 2023.
Speaking to the Observer on the sidelines of the Omani Organ Donation Day at the Hormuz Grand Hotel, Dr Ahmed al Busaidy, Director of the National Organ Transplant Programme, stated that individuals with blood, familial, or emotional ties to the patient are eligible to donate organs.
“We will carefully review both donor and recipient details to ensure that the process remains free of remuneration and without any commercial involvement,” Dr Al Busaidy emphasised.
The event, held annually on December 19, was presided over by Dr Said bin Harib al Lamki, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health for Health Affairs, with the attendance of several officials from the Ministry of Health and civilian and military medical institutions, along with medical personnel.
Dr Al Busaidy further highlighted that the National Organ Transplant Programme has made significant strides in its mission, noting that five families this year consented to donate the organs of their brain-dead relatives. This resulted in 10 kidney transplants and 2 liver transplants, marking the highest number of posthumous organ donations since the programme’s inception in 1988.
One of the year's medical milestones was the successful transfer of two kidneys from brain-dead donors between two hospitals, marking the first of its kind. Plans are underway to expand the Cornea Programme to additional hospitals.
During the event, Dr Brian Alvarez from the Spanish Donation & Transplantation Institute (DTI) Foundation presented insights from global practices in organ donation, highlighting success stories and the life-changing impact of organ transplants.
This celebration is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to promote organ donation services, raise awareness about their importance and encourage more people to register for posthumous organ donation on the “Shifa” app. The event also saw the official activation of the National Organ Transplant Programme webpage on the e-health portal and the introduction of the 'Ataa Card', recognising the humanitarian contributions of organ donors.