Muscat: After the Ministry of Health, represented by the National Organ Transplant Programme and Al Nahdha Hospital, successfully performed 55 corneal transplant operations within nine months after restarting the programme in August 2023, there are plans to establish a cornea bank in Oman to prepare and store corneas locally, reducing reliance on foreign banks.
Al Nahdha Hospital is on track to achieve 100 corneal transplant operations this year, reducing waiting lists by 70 per cent. The National Organ Transplant Programme also plans to expand corneal transplant services in Oman by introducing them at Ibra Hospital and Nizwa Hospital.
Dr Haitham bin Hilal al Mahrouqi, Senior Cornea, Cataract and Vision Correction Specialist at Al Nahdha Hospital, stated that they require 80 to 100 corneas annually. "With 55 operations already completed in 9 months, we are confident in reaching the goal of 100 corneal transplant operations this year," he said.
He emphasised the importance of local services, noting that in the past, patients had to travel abroad for such procedures, leading to concerns about treatment quality and potential complications from transplanted corneas sourced internationally.
Dr Qassim bin Mohammed al Jahdhami, Head of the Organ Donation Department at the National Organ Transplant Programme of the Ministry of Health, stated that due to the reluctance of many individuals in our society to donate organs after death and the absence of a corneal bank in the Sultanate of Oman for preparing and preserving corneas, the National Programme took the initiative to engage with international corneal banks. Through these partnerships, corneas are imported at the appropriate time and provided to patients in need. Additionally, a contract was established with a company specialising in customs clearance to ensure the safe delivery of corneas in optimal condition to Al Nahdha Hospital.
He emphasised that the successful corneal transplant operations at Al Nahdha Hospital mark just the beginning of the National Organ Transplant Programme's efforts. The programme aims to expand corneal transplant services to other hospitals, such as Ibra and Nizwa hospitals, where the demand for such procedures has been identified. The National Programme will support these hospitals by providing the necessary infrastructure, equipment, tools and logistical assistance to ensure the efficient and timely transport of corneas of the highest quality.
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