Doha, 19 November 2024: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) inaugurated yesterday the Doha International Center for Strategy and Leadership in Transplantation at a special ceremony at the Westin Hotel. In attendance at the special event were several administrative and medical leaders from the Ministry of Public Health and HMC. The ceremony also welcomed 139 organ donors and patients including 18 deceased donor families, who were honored for their selfless act of organ donation.
Also present at the event were members of the Doha International Center for Strategy and Leadership in Transplantation Advisory Panel.
Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Chief Medical Officer Dr. Abdulla Al Ansari said Qatar’s organ donation and transplantation programs have changed the lives of thousands since it was established.
“We are proud to be adding another milestone to our programs – we are establishing the Doha International Center for Strategy and Leadership in Transplantation,” Dr. Al Ansari said.
“Through this body we will be supporting the development of transplant programs globally – sharing our knowledge and our experience in Qatar with other countries. The Center is guided by our own unwavering principles of equity and fairness and an eminent international advisory board of experts has also been engaged to support its work.”
HMCs Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Affairs and Director of Qatar Center for Organ Transplantation Dr. Yousef Al Maslamani said Qatar’s Organ Transplant Program offers kidney, liver and lung transplant surgeries.
“HMC is one of the most comprehensive transplant centers in the region and Qatar is recognized as a regional leader in both organ donation and transplantation. 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,”" Dr. Al Maslamani said.
“We have been able to build this on the sustained success of the Doha Donation Accord that was achieved through innovative thinking, ethical values, widespread community acceptance and robust governmental support. Now it is our turn to help other countries through the Doha International Center for Strategy and Leadership in Transplantation.”
Director of the Qatar Organ Donation Center and Transplantation Society Councillor for the Middle east, West and Central Asia Dr. Riadh Fadhil said the Doha International Center for Strategy and Leadership in Transplantation has been established by the Ministry of Public Health with the aim of developing a plan of action to address global challenges collaborative efforts with the World Health Organization and key international stakeholders.
“The Center aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030 - Social Development pillar that advocates development of a just and caring society based on high moral standards, and capable of playing a significant role in the global partnership for development,” Dr. Riadh said. “This Qatar-led initiative is coupled with Qatar’s commitment to help other countries to develop their own ethical and effective donation and transplantation programs.”
At the ceremony the Medal of Altruism was presented to living donors and the families of deceased donors. The event also saw acknowledgement of Qatari kidney transplant recipients who chose to have their transplant surgery in Qatar rather than going abroad for treatment.
In 2024, around one quarter of Qatar’s adult population, 131 nationalities, are registered organ donors and has a single organ transplant waiting list and fair access to transplant services for all nationalities.
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.
