In commemoration of World Organ Donation Day, observed annually on August 13, the Ministry of Health (MoH) divulged the latest statistics pertaining to organ donation in the Sultanate of Oman for the year 2022. These significant figures underscore the nation's ongoing commitment to advancing organ transplantation initiatives.
In terms of kidney transplants, the Sultanate of Oman saw a total of 12 procedures facilitated by living donors, while an additional two transplants were sourced from brain-dead donors. Liver transplantation also demonstrated notable progress, with 10 transplants conducted during the same period.
The recent statistics for 2022 reveal that approximately 7,092 post-death donors have registered on the 'Shifa' application provided by the Ministry of Health. Since the inaugural organ transplant operation in 1988, Oman has carried out a cumulative total of 347 organ transplant operations, encompassing kidney transplants. Out of these, 325 operations involved living donors and 19 were sourced from deceased donors. Furthermore, there have been 22 liver transplants executed by living donors.
The ministry, through its National Programme for Organ Transplantation, is dedicated to fostering a sense of hope and optimism among patients awaiting organ transplants. To this end, the ministry urged both citizens and residents to consider contributing to this noble cause by pledging to donate organs after death, utilising the user-friendly 'Shifa' application.
Oman, under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, stands as a testament to its robust endeavours in the realm of organ transplantation. Striving to enhance the orchestration of organ transfers and transplants, the ministry is actively engaged in augmenting services related to these procedures.
Moreover, the ministry is devoted to nurturing a cadre of proficient national medical professionals capable of delivering advanced organ transplantation services. In pursuit of a comprehensive framework, the ministry is diligently reviewing and refining existing laws, legislation, and ethical benchmarks to ensure the safeguarding of both donors and transplant recipients.
A definitive marker of the country's commitment is the establishment of the Omani Centre for Organ Transplantation. This landmark initiative reflects the pressing need for organ transplantation among citizens, promising a substantial leap in the nation's organ transplantation programme. With a visionary outlook, the centre aims to fulfil the aspirations of patients grappling with organ failure and their families, heralding a future where suitable donors and seamless transplantation processes are the norm.
Oman holds the distinction of being a pioneer in the region, having embarked on organ transplantation as early as 1988. Initially, organ transplant procedures were confined to Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and the Royal Hospital, with limited progress due to the absence of a comprehensive national programme dedicated to organising, overseeing, and endorsing organ donation. The turning point arrived in 2018, when the National Programme for Organ Transplantation was established, subsequently giving rise to the National Committee for Organ Transplantation. This watershed moment signalled a renewed commitment to advancing the field of organ transplantation within the country.
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