Dubai Health Authority announced the success of the first liver transplant operation for a 38-year-old woman, performed by a distinguished medical team at King's College Hospital London in Dubai, following the discovery of a rare liver condition known as autoimmune hepatitis. This was revealed during a press conference organized by the Dubai Health Authority to detail the successful operation, which aligns with the rapid transformations and successive qualitative leaps towards sustainable health in the emirate. The meticulous surgical procedure lasted four hours and was overseen by a specialized medical team at King's College Hospital Dubai.
Dr. Marwan Al Mulla, Executive Director of the Health Regulation Sector at the authority, stated, "This achievement reflects the rapid and remarkable development witnessed in the healthcare sector in Dubai, and it also mirrors the significant efforts made by the authority to provide high-quality medical services, thereby enhancing Dubai's global competitiveness in advanced healthcare services."
During the press conference, Al Mulla reviewed the authority's efforts to support the national program for organ and tissue donation and transplantation, "Hayat," noting that in collaboration with the National Center for Organ and Tissue Donation, the Health Regulation Sector approved the liver transplant program at King's College Hospital London in Dubai, which is the first hospital for liver transplants in Dubai. It boasts a highly experienced transplant team and offers a multidisciplinary approach to work closely with patients before, during, and after the transplant to ensure they receive comprehensive medical care and achieve the best possible outcomes.
Al Mulla added: "The rate of organ donation in Dubai has increased by 117.7% this year (2023) compared to 2022, with the number of donors rising to 37 cases in 2023 from 17 cases in 2022." He emphasized that the Dubai Health Sector Strategy 2026 aims to promote a healthier lifestyle for Dubai residents and establish a leading healthcare system focused on enhancing trust, safety, quality, and care for patients and their families, making Dubai a distinguished destination for value-based healthcare.
The 38-year-old woman entered King's College Hospital Dubai suffering from yellowing of the eyes (jaundice) and swelling in her legs and abdomen, unaware of any previous liver disease. Upon the onset of symptoms, she had already developed liver cirrhosis with signs of liver failure. Medication was attempted but proved unsuccessful, and as her condition gradually worsened, it was decided that the best treatment was a liver transplant.
In light of this, the patient underwent a comprehensive assessment before the transplant to ensure she had no other diseases and could safely undergo the procedure. The operation was performed on November 29, 2023, after obtaining a liver from a deceased donor, with the family of the deceased consenting to the donation.
An immediate medical team of organ transplant surgeons was formed, led by Dr. Parthiban Sreenivasan, Senior Consultant Surgeon and Clinical Lead at King's College London Hospital and Director of Liver Transplant Services, and Dr. Rakesh Rai, Consultant of Hepatology and Biliary Surgery and Deputy Director of Liver Transplant Services at King's College Hospital Dubai.
After the four-hour operation's success, the patient's health received complete post-transplant care, and she was discharged from the hospital ten days later in very good health. This marks another achievement added to the medical sector's successes in Dubai, representing an important shift that aligns with the emirate's aspirations and its positive, influential role in the evolution of medicine through its sciences, practices, techniques, and specialized research witnessed worldwide.
