(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Cadaveric heart and lung as well as liver and pancreas transplants are being planned and will be implemented in the UAE soon, said a senior nephrologist.
In an interview with Khaleej Times, Dr Mona Al Rukhaimi, the first female nephrologist in the UAE, said that the transplants were part of UAE''s multi-disciplinary Organ Transplant Programme which is in its third phase now.
Timeline > First live related transplant was done in 1985 in Abu Dhabi Central Hospital > First cadaveric transplant in 1989 > Transplant law was passed in 1993 > Total 62 patients were given transplants in phase 1 including two cadaveric. Patients flew in from Sudan and Yemen > SKMC programme started in 2008 until now - 138 cases of live related donors and two cadaveric donated from Saudi Arabia "This will be implemented soon .... and is allowed by the law and religion," said Dr Mona who is also the President of the Emirates Medical Association Nephrology Society and is playing an active role in formulating the transplant programmes along with other team members.
Part of the programme was implemented on June 8 when the first kidney transplant was carried in Dubai on an Emirati woman.
"We expect 50 renal transplants per year," she said, adding that currently Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) does 10 per year.
She also said that as the programme advances, first degree relatives will also be able to take decisions to donate organs of their loved one after his/her death.
"We are also in the process of developing ID/donor cards for people interested in donating."
From Saudi Arabia to Dubai It was after a six-hour long journey that a plane from Saudi Arabia carrying the kidney that would save the life of a young Emirati mother arrived at Dubai Airport. Landing at 1.30am, a medical team rushed the harvested organ from a deceased Saudi donor to the hospital within six minutes where a 10-member team was ready to perform the surgery. "This is a good average as compared to Ireland where it takes between 14 hours to transplant the first kidney and 20 hours for the second," said Dr David Hickey, who led the team in Dubai. The patient is recuperating at Mediclinic City Hospital and is expected to be discharged soon. "Her creatinine levels are under control which is a good sign." However, she will have to take immunosuppressant medicines lifelong to stop her body from rejecting the new organ. Life expectancy for such cases is up to 14 years if a healthy lifestyle is followed and medicine is taken regularly. She added: "Brain death and deceased donation is a new concept requiring awareness, understanding and acceptance from the public, patients and healthcare personnel."
To implement such programmes, a number of coordinators are needed. Currently there are five coordinators in Abu Dhabi and one in Dubai (Mediclinic) who can be approached by anyone who wishes to donate.
She also said that experts were being given training in Spain where cadaveric transplants are being done according to a waiting list. "Last year 30 people went for training and others in May this year."
"Urine checks should be performed on people who come for medical tests so that kidney disease can be caught on early," she said.
Asma Ali Zain Associated with KT for 15 years. Covers health issues, Pakistan community, human interest stories as well as general topics for daily news or features.