Organ transplantation, one of the most successful breakthroughs in modern medicine, has given a new lease of life to thousands of people who could extend their normal quality of life for several years, with the support of an organ donated by somebody else. For many patients with end stage diseases such as kidney failure, complex cardiac problems, lung diseases, liver malfunction etc, transplantation of the affected organ provides them their only chance of survival. So the development of a successful organ transplantation system and its management is very crucial for any country.
Surgeons have been making human organ transplantation attempts from the 1950s, majority of them were not successful till the mid 80s because of complications and rejection of the transplanted organ by the recipients’ body. With the first use of cyclosporine, an immunosuppressive agent in 1984, organ recipients were able to lead a healthy life for many years.
Since the first kidney transplantation performed in Qatar in 1986, the country has been paying special attention to this branch of medicine and has been developing its healthcare system to make it at par with international standards. As a result, the first liver transplantation was done in 2011 and the first lung transplantation last year.
Qatar is gearing up to perform the country’s first heart transplantation this year, Medical Director of Hamad General Hospital and Director of Qatar Center for Organ Transplantation Dr. Youself Al Maslamani told The Peninsula in an interview recently.
Since 1986, Hamad General Hospital (HGH) has been conducting successful organ transplantation surgeries, mainly to replace a diseased kidney, bringing a new hope in life to hundreds of patients. Finding a suitable organ for transplant from a donor is not an easy procedure and there should be stringent rules to avoid exploitation and sometimes even trade in human organs. With the establishment of Doha Organ Donation Accord in 1986, regulations for organ donation were formed and under which kidney transplantation from living donors is allowed only among members in Qatar.
For the success of any organ transplant, a professional, cutting-edge system with highly-qualified and experienced surgeons, anaethesiologists, post-operative care with efficient support staff, modern devices and several other requirements are essential. Qatar’s state-of-the-art health system, manned by the cream of the world’s professionals, has been drawing global applause for its professionalism, which was more evident during the last couple of years when the COVID-19 pandemic was raging. We should be thankful to the state for providing the best world-class healthcare free of charge for everybody in the country without discrimination.
