Muscat – Oman’s National Organ Transplant Programme has achieved a major milestone with the successful transplantation of kidneys from two brain-dead donors. The procedures, carried out at The Royal Hospital and Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), underline the success of Oman’s organ donation initiatives.

Dr Qassim bin Mohammed al Jahdhami, Head of Organ Donation Department, informed that the procedures took place on October 22 and November 5. “Both recipients had kidney failure and had no living donors,” he said. The first operation, conducted at Royal Hospital, lasted 34 minutes, while the second at SQUH took 27 minutes. He emphasised the importance of swift action, noting that kidneys must be transplanted within a short window to ensure viability.

This year has been a record-breaking one for organ donations in Oman. According to Dr Jahdhami, a few Omani families consented to donate organs of their brain-dead relatives after being approached by programme staff resulting in transplantation of ten kidneys and two livers. “These figures represent the highest number of posthumous organ donations in a single year since kidney transplants began in the sultanate in 1988.”

Dr Jahdhami also highlighted the growing participation in organ donation through the Ministry of Health’s Shifa app, which has registered 16,000 individuals so far. He urged more citizens and residents to join in donating, saying, “Organ donation can give hope and a second chance at life to patients suffering from organ failure.”

The successful kidney transplants at SQUH was performed under Dr Zayana bint Talib al Hadrami, a kidney transplant consultant. Praising the coordination between the hospital and the National Organ Transplant Programme for the recent procedure, she said, “Despite the challenges of traffic in Muscat, the organ was transferred in record time – just 35 minutes – and arrived in excellent condition. The medical team was fully prepared to begin the procedure immediately.”

Dr Zayana highlighted the urgent need for organ donors in Oman, noting that over 2,000 people suffer from kidney failure and depend on dialysis for survival. Many others with liver, heart and other organ failures also await transplants to improve their quality of life.

Both Dr Jahdhami and Dr Zayana thanked families of the donors for their compassion and willingness to save lives. “Their contribution is invaluable,” Dr Jahdhami said, adding, “We ask for divine mercy and rewards for the deceased donors and their families.”