Dubai: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has unveiled major achievements under the UAE's National Programme for Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues, "Hayat", which has helped save the lives of more than 1,500 patients through organ transplants from deceased donors since its launch in 2017 through June 2026.The programme recorded a cumulative total of 549 deceased donors, reflecting the UAE's growing success in organ donation and its ability to transform humanitarian giving into life-saving opportunities for patients.These achievements reflect the UAE leadership's vision of placing human health and quality of life at the centre of national priorities through a healthcare system that combines advanced medical capabilities, progressive legislation and humanitarian values.1,780 organs transplantedSince its establishment, the Hayat Programme has facilitated the transplantation of 1,780 organs, including:924 kidneys502 livers181 lungs151 hearts22 pancreasesOrgan transplant services are currently provided through nine accredited centres across the UAE.In Abu Dhabi:Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi performs heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas transplants.Sheikh Khalifa Medical City provides liver and kidney transplants for adults and children.Burjeel Medical City performs kidney and liver transplants.In Dubai:Dubai Hospital provides kidney transplants for adults.Al Jalila Children's Hospital specialises in paediatric kidney transplants.Mediclinic performs kidney transplants for adults.King's College Hospital London Dubai provides liver transplants for adults and children and living-donor kidney transplants for adults.In Sharjah:Al Qassimi Hospital performs kidney transplants for adults.Medcare Hospital provides living-donor kidney transplants for adults.UAE leads GCC in organ donationThe UAE ranked first among GCC countries, recording 13.95 deceased donors per million population, reflecting the success of national policies and cooperation among healthcare authorities.The number of donors increased by 35.5% in 2025 compared with 2024, while organ transplantation activity increased by 31% during the same period.The programme currently serves patients with severe organ failure, including more than 4,000 people in the UAE suffering from chronic kidney failure who continue to await transplantation.Advanced legislation and donor protectionThe programme operates under Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2023 and its Executive Regulations, which provide the legal framework governing donation and transplantation activities.The legislation ensures:Fair allocation of organs based on medical criteria and compatibility.Protection of donor and recipient rights.Regulation of living donation and posthumous donation.Donation between relatives up to the fourth degree.Donation between spouses and their relatives.Paired-donation arrangements between families where direct compatibility is not possible.The framework also ensures organs are allocated according to medical priority, compatibility and patient need.Expanded donor benefitsThe UAE further strengthened donor protection through Ministerial Decision No. 91 of 2026, which introduced a comprehensive package of benefits for donors and their families.Eligible beneficiaries include:Living donors and their relatives up to the fourth degree.Individuals who have registered their wish to donate after death and their relatives.Families of deceased donors.Benefits include:Priority consideration should the donor later require a transplant.Accommodation arrangements near treatment facilities.Support for transportation and travel costs.Assistance during donor recovery periods.Home-care services.Certificates and medals of recognition.Official letters of appreciation.Documentation of donor stories.Psychosocial support programmes for families of deceased donors.The programme also provides comprehensive insurance and medical coverage for living donors, including examinations, surgery, follow-up treatment and long-term care related to donation.Strong transplant outcomesThe Hayat Programme has achieved high clinical success rates, including:5% one-year survival rate for kidney transplant patients.99% kidney graft function rate.4% lung transplant survival rate.100% lung graft function rate.95% survival rate for heart transplant recipients during the first 30 days after surgery.5% heart function retention rate.93% liver transplant survival rate.3% liver function retention rate.Technology and innovationThe programme increasingly relies on advanced technologies to improve transplant outcomes and operational efficiency.These include:Artificial intelligence for organ quality assessment.AI-supported matching systems.Predictive analytics for transplant outcomes.Mechanical organ perfusion systems.The UAE also recently performed its first robotic lung transplant, joining a limited number of countries capable of carrying out the complex procedure.Training and national capabilitiesMoHAP has accredited and trained more than 10,000 healthcare professionals in organ donation and transplantation.The Hayat Programme has also established a specialised national network comprising more than 150 healthcare professionals working around the clock to support all stages of donation and transplantation, including:Identifying potential donors.Supporting donor families.Organ retrieval and transportation.Transplant procedures.Post-transplant patient care.Organ transplantation in the UAE involves more than 20 medical and allied healthcare specialties working across multiple healthcare facilities.Data-driven national systemThe National Centre for Regulation of Human Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation oversees the programme and maintains a comprehensive national database covering:Patients awaiting transplants.Living donors.Registered posthumous donors.Organ retrieval and allocation data.Outcome monitoring and performance assessment.The database supports waiting-list management, compatibility matching, healthcare planning and policy development.Regional and international cooperationThe UAE has strengthened cooperation with regional partners through organ-sharing agreements and medical partnerships.More than 550 organs have been exchanged between the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, alongside bilateral agreements and training initiatives that facilitate urgent transplants and strengthen healthcare integration across the region.The cooperation also supports logistics, knowledge exchange, capacity building and organ transportation networks.Future expansion plansFuture priorities for the Hayat Programme include:Expanding donation after circulatory death (DCD).Increasing tissue donation for:CorneasBonesSkinHeart valvesExpanding transplantation services to include:IntestinesUterus transplantsVascularised composite tissues such as face, hand and arm transplants.The UAE is also updating legislation to regulate future transplantation technologies, including:Animal-derived organs.3D bioprinted organs.Tissue-engineered organs.Advanced regenerative medicine technologies.Continuing humanitarian missionDr Amin Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of the Health Regulation Sector at MoHAP, said the achievements of the Hayat Programme reflect the UAE's commitment to building a world-class healthcare system centred on people and quality of life.He said the ministry will continue expanding donation pathways, investing in innovation, strengthening international partnerships and promoting community awareness to provide more patients with the opportunity for a healthier and more stable future.
