The Ministry of Health and Prevention brought together Gulf health authorities and global experts in Dubai for the GCC Transplant Summit, marking a major step toward a unified regional system for organ donation and transplantation.
Held in collaboration with TransMedics, the summit supported the ministry’s ongoing development of the UAE’s National Programme for Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation, known as Hayat. The event aimed to strengthen Gulf integration, modernise digital infrastructure, and align regional practices with global standards.
Senior officials including Dr. Amin Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Health Regulation Sector and Supervisor of the Hayat Programme, TransMedics President and CEO Dr. Waleed Hassanein, and Dr. Ali Abdulkarim Al Obaidli, Chairman of the UAE National Committee for Organ Donation and Transplantation, took part in the discussions. Representatives from GCC health ministries, national health authorities, and accredited transplant centres were also present.
Sessions focused on standardising medical and procedural criteria, improving data and expertise exchange, and establishing mechanisms that would enable rapid response to urgent transplant cases. Participants also examined the feasibility of creating a joint GCC donor and patient registry supported by a unified digital network linking transplant centres across the region.
Technical presentations reviewed the US National Organ Care System programme and its potential adoption in Gulf countries. Experts also discussed a dedicated logistical network for organ transport and a comprehensive digital framework to support transplantation procedures and documentation.
Dr. Al Amiri said the summit provides a pivotal foundation for a cohesive regional model built on aligned legislation, digital readiness, and public trust. Dr. Al Obaidli added that the gathering sets the stage for greater efficiency and transparency in organ handling across the Gulf, while Dr. Maria Gomez highlighted the Hayat programme’s continued progress in raising donation rates and enhancing operational readiness.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
