An eight-year-old Emirati boy has become the 100th person to have a successful kidney transplant in the capital.
Rashid was visited by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, during his treatment.
The boy’s father donated the kidney.
“Rashid had a successful kidney transplant and has recovered at a very fast pace,” said Dr Mohammed Zaman, head of transplant surgery at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City.
“With praise to God we believe his full recovery will be successful and that he will be back to a normal life very soon.”
Rashid Al Qubaisi, executive director of the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, or Seha, said the boy’s prognosis was good thanks largely to his family’s support.
“This was the main reason beyond his quick recovery to a normal life with a good outlook,” Mr Al Qubaisi said.
The centre began offering free transplant surgery to Emiratis in 2009.
Dr Ali Alobaidly, head of the National Committee for Organ Transplants, said the hospital was equipped to handle hundreds of patients.
“However, the issue of access to donors inhibits their ability to perform the procedures,” Dr Alobaidly said.
“All the kidney transplants that have been completed so far have been due to donations from parents and relatives.
“Work is under way to pass a law regulating organ donation for deceased people, which will increase the number of kidney transplants, and thus heal large numbers of patients.”
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