Dubai Health

Dubai Health has announced a 46% increase in kidney transplant procedures in 2025, reflecting growing community awareness of organ donation. The procedures were carried out as part of The National Programme for Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissue ‘Hayat’. 
The announcement coincides with World Kidney Day, observed annually on 12 March. According to the latest figures, Dubai Health physicians performed 73 successful kidney transplants in 2025, compared with 50 procedures in 2024. 
Through its integrated academic health system, Dubai Health supports organ transplantation efforts in collaboration with several federal, local, and private entities, including the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Healthcare City Authority, Dubai Airports, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS), the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, Dubai Customs, Dubai Police General Headquarters, Dubai Public Prosecution, Mediclinic City Hospital, as well as several private sector hospitals. This collaboration reflects a coordinated national effort to strengthen organ donation and transplantation programmes across the UAE.
Dr. Mohamed Al Awadhi, Executive Director of the Dubai Health Women and Children's Campus, and Chair of the Dubai Health Organ Donation and Transplantation Committee, said: “The increase in kidney transplant procedures during 2025 reflects the UAE’s continued progress in driving awareness of organ donation, supported by the national efforts led by The National Programme for Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissue ‘Hayat’, and the effective collaboration among healthcare entities across the country.”
He added: “At Dubai Health, we operate through an integrated academic health system that brings together care, learning, discovery, and giving. This approach enables us to advance organ transplant programmes in line with the highest international medical standards, while also developing specialised medical professionals and strengthening coordination with healthcare entities and strategic partners to expand transplant services and improve patient access to essential treatments.”
Nujood AlKhloofi, Senior Director of the Organ Donation and Transplantation Program at Dubai Health, said: “The continued growth of Dubai’s kidney transplant programme reflects the success of national efforts to promote organ donation and transplantation in the UAE, helping save the lives of many patients and improving their quality of life.”
She added: “As part of Dubai Health’s commitment to supporting organ donation initiatives, qualified coordinators have been assigned to manage the donation process and ensure procedures are conducted efficiently. Their capabilities have also been strengthened through hands-on training programmes, in addition to participation in conferences and workshops.”
Supporting Patients 
Maha Al Taher, Clinical Transplant Coordinator at Dubai Health, explained that the work of transplant coordinators combines both clinical expertise and compassionate patient support. Coordinators stay with patients and their families throughout the treatment journey, manage medical records, and coordinate with medical teams. This ensures that required evaluations, tests, and appointments are completed seamlessly, enabling patients to be placed on transplant waiting lists in accordance with the highest standards of safety.
Dhai Abdulla Binjarn, Clinical Transplant Coordinator at Dubai Health, said that the transplant coordinator’s role begins with identifying eligible cases and providing initial awareness and counselling to the patients and families. This is then followed by medical, social, and financial assessments, ensuring comprehensive support through every step of the journey.
Abdalazeez Alghraizat, Clinical Pediatric Transplant Coordinator at Dubai Health, emphasised that the coordinator plays a critical role in paediatric transplant care by closely monitoring children’s medical conditions, coordinating with the clinical teams, and supporting families. 
Community Initiatives
Through its community initiatives, Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, supports the kidney transplant programme by providing financial assistance to patients who cannot afford treatment. The Foundation launched the ‘Your Donation Saves Lives’ programme, which drives funding for transplants, alongside several care programmes.
Educational Programmes
The Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health, contributes to advancing organ transplantation through specialised education and training programmes that equip medical professionals with the relevant expertise. These include the Adult Nephrology Fellowship Program and a training programme on ‘Core Skills in Organ Donation’. The University is also conducting scientific studies and research to further advance best practices in organ transplantation.

In a step that further strengthens Dubai’s global standing in advanced scientific research, a research team at Dubai Health has published a new scientific study in the international medical journal Nature Communications, revealing innovative techniques for the detection and diagnosis of rare diseases using genomic medicine.
The study, titled "Long Read Sequencing Enhances Pathogenic and Novel Variation Discovery in Patients with Rare Diseases," provides a scientific framework to improve the diagnostic accuracy of rare diseases. It demonstrates how advances in clinical genetic testing can increase precision and lead to more effective medical tools, directly supporting the healthcare system and Dubai Health’s Patient First commitment.
Dr. Rasha Buhumaid, Dean of the College of Medicine and Graduate Medical Education at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health, said: “This success reflects our commitment to fostering scientific research within Dubai Health and our strategic partnership between academic inquiry and clinical practice. It is a purposeful step toward developing medical practices that enhance wellbeing and elevate the quality of patient care."
She added: “Fatma’s achievement demonstrates the strength of our graduate programs and the vibrant research culture across our academic health system. Through our Master’s and PhD programs in Biomedical Sciences, MBRU is dedicated to preparing research professionals equipped with rigorous scientific thinking and advanced research skills, fostering a discovery-based learning environment that supports sustainable development in healthcare. These research-intensive programs combine rigorous academic training with hands-on experience across Dubai Health’s clinical and research facilities. Students benefit from competitive financial support, including full scholarships for PhD candidates and substantial aid for Master’s students, enabling them to pursue high-impact research.”

Diagnostic Accuracy
Fatma Rabea, Emirati PhD student at MBRU, and spokesperson for the research team, explained that the study plays a key role in enhancing the accuracy of diagnosing rare diseases by using modern techniques to uncover their genetic origins. This approach supports evidence-based treatment decisions and helps elevate the standard of care for these patients, empowering them through precise diagnosis.
Fatma noted that the study analyzed clinical samples, demonstrating that long-read genomic sequencing techniques significantly improved diagnostic accuracy for rare diseases by identifying genetic variants missed by traditional methods. This led to new diagnoses for approximately 10% of the cases studied, providing essential treatments and enhancing wellbeing.
The Hamdan Medical Research Award
The study was honored with the prestigious Arab Award for Research in Healthcare, as part of the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences 2025 Medical Awards. This honor recognizes the meaningful contributions MBRU students make in advancing discovery and contributing to globally relevant research. This accolade recognizes the study's substantial scientific contribution to improving diagnostic precision for rare diseases, which directly enhances overall patient care. 
To access the study, visit https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57695-9.

Dubai Health and Johnson & Johnson MedTech have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a collaborative framework to advance professional education, drive sustainability initiatives, and support digital innovation in healthcare. 

The MoU was signed by Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi, Deputy CEO and Chief Academic Officer of Dubai Health and Provost of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), and Prosun Niyogi, Vice President and General Manager, Surgery Emerging Markets representing Johnson & Johnson MedTech. The signing was attended by Dr. Tarek Fathey, Chief Clinical Officer at Dubai Health. 

The collaboration is structured around three core pillars. The first focuses on professional education and capacity building through tailored training programs and train-the-trainer initiatives. The second advances sustainable development by expanding recycling programs across selected hospitals. The third supports the implementation of digital ecosystems that enable surgical video capture, secure content sharing, collaborative case planning, and telepresence-enabled remote collaboration and education. 

Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi said: “This strategic partnership with Johnson & Johnson MedTech reflects our commitment to healthcare excellence through purpose-driven partnerships. Guided by our vision to advance health for humanity, we are building a framework that will enhance professional education, promote sustainability, and support digital innovation across our integrated academic health system.” 

Dr. Tarek Fathey said: “This collaboration represents a significant milestone in advancing clinical practice across Dubai Health through the integration of advanced digital technologies into surgical environments and clinical education. It enhances precision in medical decision-making, strengthens multidisciplinary team capabilities, and ultimately contributes to improved patient outcomes.” 

Prosun Niyogi said, “Dubai Health's 'Patient First' promise reflects the same principle that guides everything we do at Johnson & Johnson MedTech: putting the needs of patients above all else. This partnership allows us to pioneer new models of professional education, advance sustainable healthcare practices, and connect clinicians through digital innovation- all in service of one goal: removing limitations to a full life and changing the trajectory of health for communities across the UAE and beyond.” 

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to driving meaningful progress in healthcare through knowledge exchange, innovation, and strategic partnership, ultimately supporting better outcomes for patients and communities.