Dubai's First Liver Transplant for 13-Month-Old Child

Post by: Bandan Preet

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office

In a huge medical breakthrough for Dubai, a team of doctors at King’s College Hospital London in Dubai has performed the city’s first-ever liver transplant on a 13-month-old child. This was made possible with the help of the Al Jalila Foundation, which is part of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and supports health-related charity work.

This successful liver transplant is a big achievement for Dubai and shows how the city’s healthcare system is improving. It is also a step forward in reaching the goals set by the Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aims to make the healthcare system in the city more efficient and world-class.

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The complicated surgery was led by Professor Mohamed Rela, one of the top liver transplant surgeons in the world. He and his team at King’s College Hospital London in Dubai carried out the surgery with support from a group of experts. Al Jalila Children’s Hospital played a key role in preparing the child, named Malek, for the transplant. The hospital first took care of Malek’s health and treated a heart defect he had by performing surgery to fix a hole in his heart. After this, Malek was ready for the liver transplant.

Malek was born with a rare liver disease called biliary atresia, which had made his health very poor, even after an earlier surgery. He also had a heart condition known as atrial septal defect. After the heart surgery at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Malek was referred to King’s College Hospital for a liver transplant.

The liver transplant was a success, and Malek is now healthy. The surgery was completed smoothly, and he was able to go home after a short recovery.
Dr. Younis Kazim, Acting CEO of the DHA’s Health Regulation Sector, said this liver transplant was an important moment in Dubai’s medical history. He explained that it shows how the healthcare system in Dubai can handle even the most difficult and complex medical cases. He also emphasized that the city is working to develop a healthcare system that meets the highest global standards.

Dr. Kazim also mentioned the DHA’s effort to support private healthcare hospitals in providing specialized services. He said that the DHA’s flexible policies and regulatory framework make it easier for hospitals to attract top medical talent from around the world.

Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of the Al Jalila Foundation, said that this success marks a new milestone for healthcare in Dubai. He praised the teamwork between public and private healthcare organizations and also thanked the donors who helped support the liver transplant programs.

Al Jalila Foundation covered all the medical costs for Malek’s treatment, including the care he received before and after the transplant at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital. This support is part of the foundation’s ongoing commitment to helping those in need of medical treatment.

A new cooperation agreement was also signed between Al Jalila Foundation and King’s College Hospital London in Dubai during the Arab Health 2025 conference. This agreement will help expand charitable healthcare efforts in the UAE, especially in supporting organ transplant programs.

Dr. Hanan Ali Obaid, Director of Health Policies and Standards at the DHA, said that this transplant is a sign of the city’s commitment to meeting international standards of patient care and safety. She explained that the DHA works hard to make sure Dubai has the best possible healthcare system.

Professor Mohamed Rela, who led the surgery, mentioned that Malek’s condition was particularly difficult because of his age, weight, and multiple health problems. He said the success of the surgery showed how skilled the medical team was, and how Dubai’s healthcare system can handle complex medical cases.

Dr. Rajeev Tomar, a consultant pediatrician and director of the pediatric liver transplant program at King’s College Hospital in Dubai, explained that Malek’s condition was very serious. He had severe jaundice, a swollen liver and spleen, and was extremely malnourished. Without the liver transplant, his chances of survival were slim.
Kimberly Pierce, CEO of King’s College Hospital Dubai, said that this surgery shows how Dubai’s healthcare system has advanced. Before, children like Malek would have had to travel abroad for such a transplant, but now it can be done in Dubai thanks to the support from both public and private healthcare sectors.

Dr. Tashfeen Siddiq Ali, Chief Medical Officer at King’s College Hospital, said that this success marks a turning point in Dubai’s journey to becoming a global leader in specialized healthcare. It also reflects how fast the city’s healthcare system is improving and adapting to meet the needs of all residents, including children.

In summary, this liver transplant is a big step for Dubai’s healthcare system and shows how the city is progressing towards its goal of becoming a top global destination for healthcare. The collaboration between different hospitals and the support from charitable organizations played a vital role in making this breakthrough possible.

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