By Rafiq Vayani
SHARJAH: Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centres has officially launched its Organ Transplant Centre following the successful completion of its first kidney transplant at Medcare Hospital Sharjah.
The landmark procedure represents a major advancement in Medcare’s clinical capabilities and establishes the foundation for a comprehensive transplant programme serving patients from the UAE, the wider region, and the international market.The first living donor kidney transplant was performed for an international patient who travelled to the UAE specifically for the procedure, highlighting the growing position of the country as a destination for complex and highly specialized healthcare services.
Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare, said: “The launch of Medcare’s Transplant Centre is an important step in our ambition to make highly advanced clinical care more accessible to patients in the UAE, across the region and internationally.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Sharjah Health Authority (SHA) and the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) for their continued support in establishing this programme in the Emirate of Sharjah.
Our vision extends beyond kidney transplantation. We are building the expertise and clinical ecosystem required to expand organ transplant services in the near future.”
Dr. Shanila Laiju, Group Chief Executive Officer of Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centres, said: “Completing Medcare’s first successful kidney transplant and launching our Transplant Centre mark a defining moment in the evolution of our clinical services. This achievement demonstrates our ability to manage some of the most complex medical and surgical conditions within an integrated hospital environment. The fact that our first transplant patient travelled from overseas demonstrates the confidence that patients are placing in the UAE’s healthcare system and its ability to deliver highly complex care.”
The Medcare Transplant Program brings together expertise across transplant surgery, nephrology, hepatology, urology, anesthesia, intensive care, radiology, pathology, infectious diseases, immunology, rehabilitation and long-term patient management.
Commenting on the program, Dr. Gourab Sen, Director, Hepatobiliary unit and Transplant Services at Medcare Hospital Sharjah , said: “Kidney transplantation is a complex clinical pathway that begins long before the operation and continues throughout the recipient’s life. The success of this first transplant was made possible by detailed donor and recipient assessments, careful surgical planning and close coordination between multiple specialties.”
“The centre has been designed around internationally recognised transplant practices, with a strong emphasis on patient selection, donor safety, infection prevention, immunosuppression management and long-term graft monitoring.
The transplant was carried out by an experienced multidisciplinary team bringing more than 2 decades of international experience from India the UK & the UAE and have a combined experience of over 1000 abdominal transplants including, liver, kidney and pancreas. The procedure was led by Transplant Surgeons Dr. Gourab Sen and Dr. Johns Shaji Mathew, Transplant Nephrology team led by Dr. Ishthiaque Ahamed, Transplant Anaesthesiology team led by Dr. George Jacob Malayil, along with critical-care specialists, nurses and allied healthcare staff. Both donor and recipient have been discharged home and continuing post-transplant follow-up.
The donor and the recipient pair underwent thorough evaluation to assess compatibility and safety in line with UAE guidance from Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP). The donor procedure was led by Dr Johns Shaji Mathew – Consultant Gastro Intestinal and Transplant Surgeon using one of the world’s most advanced surgical Robotic Systems, a minimally invasive approach designed to enhance donor safety and speedy recovery
Dr. Jishan Mathadil, COO of Medcare Hospital Sharjah Cluster stated: “A proud milestone for all of us. We remain committed to expanding healthcare services across Sharjah and the Northern Emirates through our continued dedication and contribution.”
The launch of the Transplant Centre further strengthens Medcare’s growing portfolio of advanced clinical services. Across its network, Medcare has continued to expand its capabilities in robotic-assisted surgery, complex cardiac and vascular care, neurosciences, spinal surgery, advanced orthopaedics & gene therapy.
The healthcare group is also developing multidisciplinary centres and specialized services for patients with complex cardiovascular, neurological, hepatobiliary, urological, spinal and musculoskeletal conditions, reinforcing its continued advancement in tertiary and quaternary care.