12-year-old has kidney transplant in Sharjah

The boy was born with a congenital deformity in one of his kidneys, which later ceased to function. He was supposed to undergo dialysis, but because of his young age and the high costs the doctors decided against it. Later, the bold decision of carrying out a transplant was taken.

The kidney transplant was the first of its kind to be performed in a hospital affiliated to the Ministry of Health in the country, and in Sharjah, in particular, announced Minister of Health Dr Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qutami at a Press conference in the hospital yesterday.

The transplant, for which the child’s maternal aunt had donated one of he

r kidneys, was performed by Professor Kamal Abu Sin, who works in a hospital in London, Dr Al Qutami said.

Dr Al Qutami hailed the efforts of the team of nurses, paramedics and technicians, both Emiratis and expatriates, for making the operation a success.

This pioneering step would be the springboard for concentrating on rare medical specialisations and major surgical operations for transfer and transplant of human organs, he said.

The ministry is planning to carrying out a study for setting up the biggest-ever centre for transfer and transplant of human organs in the country.

Another 25-year-old Emirati man will undergo kidney transplant tomorrow at Al Qasimi Hospital.