DHA Announces Additional Standards for Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA), in collaboration with the Donation and Transplantation Institute (DTI) Foundation- Spain and National Center of Organ Donation and Transplant, UAE Ministry of Health & Prevention; held a workshop with DHA licensed hospitals to introduce and discuss the newly developed DHA standards for organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The event brought together key stakeholders from the UAE’s healthcare sector, reaffirming DHA’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services and promoting ethical and innovative practices in organ donation and transplantation.
Overview of the Newly Developed DHA Standards
The workshop spotlighted the following five DHA standards designed to enhance the quality of transplantation services:
- DHA Standards for Human Organs and Tissues Donation Services (Deceased Donor) - Donation after Brain Death (DBD) – Version 2: The updated framework emphasises ethical considerations and protocols for organ donation from brain-dead donors, ensuring safety for medical teams and improved outcomes for transplant recipients.
- DHA Standards for Human Organs and Tissues Donation Services (Deceased Donor) - Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) – Version 1: A newly introduced framework that expands the donor pool by including protocols for organ donation following circulatory death, improving the availability of organs for transplantation.
- DHA Standards for Corneal Transplant Services: These standards focus on best practices in corneal donation, protecting tissue quality, enhancing recipient outcomes, and advancing corneal transplant services in the region.
- DHA Standards on Tissue Management: Comprehensive guidelines for tissue collection, processing, and transplantation, ensuring safety, ethical practices, and optimal utilisation of donated tissues.
- Updated DHA Standards for Kidney Transplant Services – Version 2: Revised standards incorporate the latest advancements in medical research, enhancing donor-recipient matching criteria and post-transplant care protocols.
Summary of Key Standards and Objectives
| Standard Name | Key Focus Area |
|---|---|
| DBD - Version 2 | Ethical protocols and safety for donation after brain death. |
| DCD - Version 1 | Expanding donor pool through donation after circulatory death. |
| Corneal Transplant Services | Protecting tissue quality and advancing regional services. |
| Tissue Management | Guidelines for collection, processing, and optimal utilization. |
| Kidney Transplant - Version 2 | Medical research advancements and post-transplant care. |
Collaborative Efforts and Additional Frameworks
In addition to these standards, in May 2024, DHA also developed additional 4 standards in collaboration with United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to streamline transplantation healthcare services across various domains including:
- Liver and Pancreas Transplant Services
- Heart and Lung Transplant Services
- Vascularised Composite Allograft (Limb) Transplant Services
- Human Organ and Tissues Donation Services (Living Donor)
The workshop featured Subject Matter Experts from DTI who were responsible for developing these standards. They provided in-depth insights into the newly developed standards. Discussions also explored initiatives to strengthen donor registries, further improve transplant success rates, and raise awareness about the life-saving impact of organ donation.
Leadership Insights on Ethical and Innovative Practices
Dr. Hanan Obaid, Director of Health Policies and Standards Department at DHA’s Health Regulation Sector, said: “The development of these standards is a testament to DHA’s dedication to ensuring that organ and tissue donation and transplantation services adhere to the highest ethical and medical benchmarks. These frameworks are essential for enhancing trust, improving outcomes, and ultimately saving lives." Dr Obaid highlighted the significance of these standards, stating: "The establishment and continuous refinement of these standards reflect our unwavering commitment to saving lives through innovative and ethical medical practices."
Ayesha Al Falahi, Senior Consultant, Organ Donation and Transplantation at the DHA, added: "By aligning local practices with international best practices and advancing our healthcare systems, we aim to establish the UAE as a global leader in healthcare innovation, reflecting our dedication to excellence and patient-centred care."
Dr Chloë Ballesté Delpierre, DTI Medical Director DTI Foundation, University of Barcelona Associate Professor and Council of ESOT European Society for Organ Transplantation said: “The implementation of these new standards by the Dubai Health Authority marks a significant advancement in the field of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. This initiative underscores the importance of international cooperation in achieving excellence in healthcare and saving lives.”
Commitment to Excellence and Accreditation
In alignment with Dubai Health Authority values in Excellence to aspire to achieve the highest standards of excellence and professionalism in the provision of care, the Authority is committed to continually comply with providing the highest standards set by International Bodies and Regulatory Authorities. This commitment is evidenced by various achieved certifications, including:
- JCI Certificate-Hospital Network Accreditation: Dubai Hospital, Latifa Hospital, Hatta Hospital, and Rashid Hospital.
- Integrated Management System Certificate: ISO 22301:2019, ISO/IEC 27001:2013, 9001:2015.
- Knowledge Management System Certificate: ISO 30401:2018.
- Innovation Management System Certificate: ISO 56002:2019.
- College of American Pathologists (CAP) Accreditation: Certificates for Rashid Hospital Lab, Latifa Hospital lab, and Hatta Hospital Lab.