A new pediatric liver transplant center is set to revolutionize healthcare for hundreds of children in the UAE, offering life-saving interventions without the need for travel abroad. The facility, launched at King's College Hospital London, Dubai, is dedicated to young patients suffering from debilitating liver diseases. The hospital will employ the split liver transplant technique, enabling a single donor liver to be transplanted into both a child and an adult, thereby saving two lives.
Prof. Mohamed Rela, a leading expert in the field with over 4,000 liver transplants under his belt, emphasized the transformative impact of such surgeries. 'A five-day-old child I operated on is now a lawyer,' he shared. 'If you see her today, you would never guess she underwent a transplant. It's an operation that changes lives and is crucial for this country.'
Kimberley Pierce, CEO of King's College Hospital London, Dubai, highlighted the center's significant regional impact. 'Many children in the region require liver transplants for various reasons,' she noted. 'Sickle cell anaemia, prevalent here, often damages the liver, necessitating transplantation. With this center, families no longer need to seek treatment outside the UAE.'
Financial assistance programs are also in place for families unable to afford the procedure. 'We've partnered with charities like Al Jalila Foundation to fund these procedures,' Pierce added. 'The Dubai Health Authority also subsidizes transplants for children.'
Christine Inciong, a Filipina expat, welcomed the new center. In 2020, she faced the daunting task of traveling to India for her son Uno's liver transplant during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. 'I had to leave my younger son with a nanny,' she recounted. 'We stayed in India for over two months as Uno recovered. It was the toughest period of my life, especially as my husband lost his job due to the pandemic.'
Christine, who donated part of her liver to Uno, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to save her son's life. 'I was the only match in the family,' she said. 'The doctors explained that live donations are feasible since children need only a portion of the liver. Both our livers will regenerate, and we are closely monitored.'
The hospital also opened a liver transplant center for adults in November 2023, completing 14 successful transplants. Kimberley Pierce noted the high prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the GCC, a condition affecting young people regardless of nationality. 'Our doctors are collaborating with MBRU to understand the root cause,' she said.
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