DOHA: The Qatar Organ Donation Center (HIBA) and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) honoured 93 organ donors and their families, in the presence of Minister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari.
During the ceremony, which marked another successful year for Qatar's Organ Transplant and Organ Donation Programs, 52 living kidney donors, two liver donors, and 17 bone marrow donors were honoured. The event also honoured the families of 22 deceased donors whose selfless donations were able to support 42 transplant operations, including 30 kidneys, nine liver and three lung transplants, according to HMC in a statement Wednesday.
At the event, the Medal of Altruism was presented to living donors and the families of deceased donors. The event also saw an acknowledgement of Qatari kidney transplant recipients who chose to have their transplant surgery in Qatar rather than going abroad for treatment.
To mark this occasion, HMC's Chief Medical Officer Dr Abdalla Al Ansari said the organisation has worked tirelessly with the Qatar Center for Organ Transplantation to implement the tenets of the Doha Donation Accord, pointing out that the people of Qatar, both citizens and residents, continue to show their support for Qatar's unique, world-class, and equitable organ donation and transplant programmes.
Al Ansari thanked them for their unwavering support, adding that he was proud of this tremendous accomplishment. He thanked all colleagues at HMC and cadres in all transplant and organ donation programs for their tireless efforts and dedication to their ongoing work.
For his part, Director, Qatar Organ Donation Center, and member of the World Health Organization Expert Group Dr Riadh Fadhil said the nation's organ donor registry surpassed 530,000 registered donors, representing around 25 percent of Qatar's adult population.
There are more than 131 nationalities represented in the registry that reflected positively on the rate of organ donation among all nationalities, which is a unique achievement, especially considering the registry was only established 10 years ago," added DrFadhil.
He added that respect for human rights, autonomy and equity made Qatar a model of ethical and best clinical practice that is much-admired by the international transplant community.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Affairs and Director of Qatar Center for Organ Transplantation Dr Yousuf Al Maslamani emphasized that Qatar's organ transplant program offers kidney, liver and lung transplant surgeries making HMC one of the most comprehensive transplant centers in the region.
"Since the start of our transplant program in 1986, we have worked hard and strengthened the exceptional care we provide to our patients. We have in place a multidisciplinary team with some leading international experts that enabled us to deliver the highest levels of care to our patients who need these procedures" said Dr Al Maslamani.
An organ transplant can be a life-saving procedure. It can also significantly improve the quality of life for someone with chronic organ failure. A deceased organ donor can save up to eight lives. It is also possible to donate a kidney or part of the liver while alive.