Marking its fourth anniversary, Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital, the only hospital specialized in paediatric medicine in the United Arab Emirates, today announced the launch of the first comprehensive paediatric organ transplant center in the country.

In line with national efforts to advance organ transplantation programs, the Al Jalila Children’s Organ Transplant Center will provide the full spectrum of care to children suffering from organ failure including disease management, transplantation evaluation, organ transplant and post transplantation care.

Dr. Abdulla Al Khayat, CEO of Al Jalila Children’s, said “Since the passing of the UAE federal law allowing transplantation of human organs and tissues in 2016, the concerned healthcare players have worked towards enabling UAE citizens and residents access to high quality transplant services. Al Jalila Children’s role, in these collaborative efforts, have been instrumental and today with the launch of this first of its kind comprehensive paediatric transplant center, we are building on these efforts by developing an institution that will become an integral part of the country’s healthcare ecosystem. “The center will also contribute to the UAE government’s vision to put the UAE at the forefront of organ transplant regional and globally as it will also focus on innovation, research and long-term outcome and community development.”

The Al Jalila Children’s has been a key player in pushing the paediatric organ transplantation agenda in Dubai. The hospital, in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid University for Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), carried out the first pediatric kidney transplant in the emirate, giving a 9-year-old girl who was born with just one kidney a new lease of life. Till date, the hospital has carried a total of four transplantations.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Awadhi, COO of Al Jalila Children’s, said “The center, a collaboration with MBRU and Mediclinic Middle East, will bring innovative care to patients with organ failure including diagnostic testing, organ regeneration, pharmaco-engineering to help advance the portfolio of organ transplant programs in the UAE. Our multidisciplinary team of experts led by Dr Waldo Concepcion, who joined us from Stanford University Hospital, understand the unique needs of young patients. Their combined expertise makes us equipped to offer quality care for children suffering from organ failures, providing them with a new lease of life.”

The center will provide transplant services for children with acute and/or chronic kidney, liver, heart and bone marrow diseases. As a first phase, the center will roll out the kidney transplant program while the other specialties will be introduced subsequently.

The center will be utilizing state of the art procedures and technologies such as imaging procedures to minimize radiation exposure. It will also offer genetic evaluation of patients to better understand their conditions.