Oman Celebrates Organ Donation Day with Remarkable Achievements

On December 19, the Omani Center for Organ Transplant, part of the Ministry of Health, commemorated Oman Organ Donation Day, emphasizing the spirit of donation and community support. This annual event is integral to enhancing organ donation services and encouraging awareness about the significance of registering through the Shifa app, allowing families to contribute to life-saving donations both during life and posthumously.

Dr. Qasim bin Mohammed Al Jahdhami, Head of the Organ Donation Department at the National Organ Transplant Programme, shared notable accomplishments from the programme. He reported that over 153 suspected brain-dead cases were documented from various governorates in Oman. With family consent, the initiative facilitated the transplantation of eight organs, which included kidneys and livers, for patients lacking living donors. Noteworthy among these efforts is the historic first heart transplant performed in Oman.

This year saw a total of 15 liver transplants conducted, with 14 sourced from living donors and one from a deceased donor. Additionally, 35 kidney transplants were completed with contributions from both living and deceased donors, showcasing the strengthening capabilities of the country's organ transplant programme.

Dr. Al Jahdhami highlighted 107 corneal transplant procedures conducted in 2025 under the national corneal transplant initiative. This program has been expanded to various hospitals across the Sultanate, enhancing access for patients requiring vision correction through corneal transplants.

The Organ Donation Day event included a lecture from the medical director of Spain's National Transplant Organization, who shared insightful international perspectives and the benefits associated with organ transplantation. Another informative session was led by Dr. Ali Al Jahdhami, focusing on the significance of organ donation in Islam, covering its ethical and humanitarian aspects.

Attendees heard heartfelt testimonies from transplant recipients, who recounted their health battles and expressed heartfelt thanks for the transformative influence of organ donation. The event was held under the patronage of Dr. Said bin Harib Al Lamki, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Health Affairs, and was well-attended by esteemed officials and health institution representatives throughout Oman.