Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Sets Landmark in Organ Transplants
Abu Dhabi: Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has cemented its position as a pioneer in organ transplantation in the UAE and wider region, performing 941 life-saving transplants since the launch of its dedicated transplant centre in 2017. The hospital has not only achieved an impressive 95% success rate, but also carried out the UAEās first-ever multi-organ procedures, bringing global-standard healthcare closer to home for patients.
At a recent media briefing, senior doctors highlighted the hospitalās achievements while also acknowledging the challenges ahead. Currently, 282 patients remain on the waiting list, including 200 kidney patients, 50 liver patients, 20 lung patients, and 12 awaiting heart transplants.
Growing Demand, Limited Donors
Despite these successes, the hospital faces a persistent challenge: a shortage of both living and deceased donors. This gap between supply and demand is the main reason for long waiting times.
Patients with blood type O face the most difficult waitāoften three to five yearsāthough this is still shorter than the eight to ten years commonly seen in the United States. For other blood groups, the wait ranges from as little as three months for AB patients to nearly two years for those with blood type A.
Doctors emphasized that expanding the donor pool through awareness and education remains critical to ensuring timely access to life-saving surgeries.
Transplant Achievements by the Numbers
Since 2017, the centre has successfully performed:
415 kidney transplants (182 from living donors, 233 from deceased donors)
402 liver transplants (39 living related, 363 deceased)
70 lung transplants
38 heart transplants
16 pancreas transplants
Beyond these numbers, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has also pioneered complex multi-organ surgeries, including:
Combined lungāliver transplant
Heartākidney transplant
36 liverākidney transplants
16 kidneyāpancreas transplants
Two heartālung transplants
Such innovations put the UAE on the map as a leader in advanced transplantation techniques, ensuring patients no longer need to travel abroad for procedures previously unavailable in the region.
National Milestones
In addition to individual successes, the hospital has contributed to several national firsts:
2021: UAEās first kidney re-implantation following tumour removal
2023: The regionās first combined lungāliver transplant
2023: UAEās first-ever three-way kidney exchange
These achievements not only saved lives but also showcased the UAEās ability to deliver cutting-edge healthcare at par with global medical institutions.
The Role of the āHayatā Programme
Much of this progress is linked to the Hayat National Program for Organ Donation and Transplantation, launched by the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
Since 2017, the programme has supported 1,090 organ transplants across Abu Dhabi, including 290 procedures in 2025 alone. Hayat has played a key role in building public awareness about organ donation, encouraging both residents and citizens to register as donors.
Doctors stressed that continued support for Hayat could significantly reduce waiting times, particularly for patients with chronic conditions who often rely on transplants as their only hope for survival.
Saving Lives, Advancing Medicine
Dr. Bashir Sankari, Chair of the Surgical Subspecialties Institute, described the centre as a āpivotal force in advancing transplantation in the UAE.ā
He explained that organ transplants remain the only life-saving option for patients suffering from end-stage conditions such as:
Cancer
Heart failure
Liver cirrhosis
Chronic kidney failure
Advanced lung disease
āWith every successful transplant, we are not just restoring healthāwe are giving patients and families a new chance at life,ā Dr. Sankari said.
Looking Ahead
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabiās journey underscores how far the UAE has come in just a few years. From its first transplant in 2017 to nearly a thousand complex procedures today, the hospitalās work reflects the countryās rapidly advancing healthcare system.
While challenges remain, particularly in expanding the donor base, the centreās world-class outcomes have already placed the UAE among the leaders in organ transplantation. With continued innovation, collaboration, and public awareness, the next chapter could see waiting times reduced and even more patients given a new lease on life.
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