The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has organised the TransMedics GCC Transplant Summit in Dubai, bringing together representatives from the health ministries of the GCC states and a host of regional and international experts in organ donation and transplantation, in collaboration with the global company TransMedics.

The Summit was held as part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to develop the National Programme for Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation, “Hayat”, and to build a sustainable ecosystem based on unified regulations, modern digital infrastructure, and enhanced Gulf integration in this vital field, aligning with global best practices.

The event was attended by H.E. Dr. Amin Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Health Regulation Sector at MoHAP and Supervisor of the Hayat Programme; Dr. Waleed Hassanein, President and CEO of TransMedics; and Dr. Ali Abdulkarim Al Obaidli, Chairman of the UAE National Committee for Organ Donation and Transplantation.

This is in addition to Dr. Maria Gomez, Director of the National Centre for Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues; as well as representatives from national health authorities and government and private hospitals accredited for organ transplant procedures.

Gulf Integeration

The symposium featured extensive discussions on mechanisms for standardising criteria and sharing expertise, as well as ways to build a unified regional system for organ donation and transplantation that would be founded on legislative, technical, and logistical integration among member states.

The sessions emphasised the importance of unifying medical and procedural standards and developing mechanisms for data and expertise exchange to ensure a rapid response to urgent transplant cases and enhance the efficiency of utilising donated organs.

Participants also explored the potential for establishing a joint GCC registry for donors and patients and linking transplant centres through a unified digital network. Such a network would enable coordination among medical teams across the Gulf nations.

Summit Agenda

The event featured technical presentations on the U.S. National Organ Care System (OCS) programme and explored its potential application within the Gulf region. Discussions also touched on the possibility of establishing a dedicated logistical network for organ transport and developing an integrated digital framework to support transplantation procedures and documentation. These measures are set to enhance operational efficiency and increase the utilisation rates of donated organs.

Furthermore, the agenda addressed the importance of developing a unified infrastructure that integrates standardised legislation, technical regulations, and coordination mechanisms among health authorities, thereby enabling faster response times, enhancing service quality, and reinforcing public trust in the organ donation system across the GCC states.

Pivotal Platform

H.E. Dr. Amin Al Amiri emphasised that the summit has provided a pivotal platform for shaping the future of organ transplantation in the Gulf. “Through the adoption of a unified regulatory and legislative framework, we can significantly enhance the efficiency of services and accelerate responses to critical cases," Al Amiri stated.

He reaffirmed that the UAE is committed to collaborating with its Gulf partners to build a state-of-the-art model that strengthens community confidence and establishes the region as a global hub for organ donation and transplantation.

H.E. further said, "Through 'Hayat programme', the UAE is building an integrated operational model that aligns legislation with societal needs and leverages data and modern digital systems to enhance transparency and operational efficiency."

He added that the standardised legislation, along with technical and logistical systems across the Gulf will certainly lead to the creation of a cohesive ecosystem capable of managing donation, transport, and transplantation processes in line with the highest global standards.

Integrated System

For his part, Dr. Ali Abdulkarim Al Obaidli stated: "The TransMedics GCC Transplant Summit provided a strategic framework for building a unified Gulf network for organ donation, driven by unified legislation, advanced digital systems, standardised criteria, and the exchange of expertise.”

“The event has been a step in the right direction towards accelerating performance and enhancing the readiness of medical teams across the Gulf states, ensuring the transfer and handling of organs under a unified system that guarantees the highest levels of efficiency and transparency. This would contribute to increasing donation rates, achieving the best clinical outcomes, and giving patients a real chance at a new life," Al Obaidli added.

He stated that the UAE’s organ transplantation system has evolved into an integrated model that ensures advanced coordination across health, legislative, logistical, and technical entities.

Al Obaidli stressed that the “Hayat” programme is a national platform that showcases the country’s ethical and humanitarian commitment to patients and their families. It also demonstrates the UAE’s dedication to helping build a distinguished Gulf-wide system through its medical capabilities and expertise, aimed at increasing donation rates, accelerating transplantation procedures, and strengthening public trust.

Digital and logistical solutions

Additionally, Dr. Maria Gomez emphasised that the "Hayat" programme has successfully increased organ donation rates, both in terms of public awareness and technical and logistical readiness.

"We will continue to accelerate our efforts with confidence towards building an integrated system supported by modern legislation, digital infrastructure, and Gulf and international cooperation," she stated.

She added: "The symposium featured presentations on innovative digital and logistical solutions, most notably the OCS programme, which opens new horizons for the full utilisation of organs, accelerating transplantation processes, and achieving better clinical outcomes. “

“We will spare no effort to support the 'Hayat' programme, now becoming both a national project and a humanitarian mission that transcends borders. Through this symposium, we look forward to transforming this mission into a shared reality across the Gulf." 

Joint roadmap

The attendees emphasised that promoting a culture of organ donation in Gulf societies requires integrated efforts, including public awareness campaigns, professional training, and necessary infrastructure, alongside sustained legislative support.

It was agreed to continue technical and institutional dialogue between relevant authorities to develop a joint roadmap for activating Gulf cooperation in this vital and humanitarian field.