Amman, Dec. 23 (Petra)- Participants, experts and specialist physicians from the health and academic sectors called for strengthening national and regional partnerships and building a sustainable Jordanian model for organ donation and transplantation during the Third National Scientific Day on Organ Donation and Transplantation. The event was organized by the Deanship of Scientific Research and the School of Medicine at the University of Jordan, in cooperation with the Jordan Society for Organ Donation, with support from Al-Rashid Hospital Center, the Jordan Medical Association, and the Liver Transplant Scientific Group affiliated with the Deanship of Scientific Research.

According to a statement issued by the University of Jordan on Tuesday, participants from Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United States stressed the need to intensify institutional and awareness-based regional efforts to confront the growing challenges in this vital field.

Dean of the School of Medicine Dr. Ayman Wahbeh said the day represents an advanced stage in a cumulative national path built by leading national institutions, foremost among them the Royal Medical Services, noting that the University of Jordan continues this approach out of conviction that major national issues are built on partnership and integration and safeguarded through shared responsibility. He added that the importance of the day stems from the nature of the partnership bringing together the university with various health and academic sectors.

For his part, Dean of Scientific Research Yasser Rayan said the holding of the scientific day reflects the university’s commitment to its pioneering role in serving society, supporting scientific research and building effective national partnerships. He stressed that organ donation and transplantation is a health and humanitarian issue and a national strategic priority that requires long-term institutional work based on science, legislation and community awareness.

Rayan called for linking the outcomes of the scientific day to a sustainable national research agenda that contributes to developing the organ transplantation system in Jordan and serving Jordanian patients. He noted that the biggest challenge lies in the shortage of donors, which necessitates strengthening a culture of donation, building public trust, promoting evidence-based awareness, empowering medical staff and establishing clear policies for organ donation.

During the opening session, consultant pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition specialist at the University of Jordan Hospital Dr. Farid Khudair reviewed the status of pediatric liver transplantation in Jordan, pointing to indications for liver transplantation, types of donors and challenges facing organ transplantation, including high costs and a shortage of donors.

He explained that globally the largest proportion of pediatric liver transplants relies on brain-dead donors, in addition to donation after circulatory death, alongside a smaller proportion of living donors. He also outlined future prospects and ways to develop this vital medical field, foremost among them establishing a national organ transplant center, spreading awareness and enhancing medical training.

Senior liver and pancreatic surgery specialist at the Royal Medical Services Lt. Col. Dr. Raed Al-Jarrah reviewed the status of adult liver transplantation in Jordan, noting that the Royal Medical Services played a pioneering role in introducing and developing liver transplantation in the Kingdom. He said these efforts culminated in performing the first fully independent liver transplant by Jordanian hands in 2009, adding that 152 liver transplants have been performed to date, with a five-year survival rate exceeding 69 percent in line with international standards.

He affirmed that the Royal Medical Services continue to develop this vital field despite challenges by strengthening pediatric liver transplant programs, promoting a culture of donation, and building specialized national capacities to ensure the sustainability of this advanced medical program.

President of the Middle East Society for Organ Transplantation (MESOT) Dr. Ali Al-Obaidli presented an overview of the status of organ transplantation in Mediterranean Basin countries, stressing that organ transplantation is the optimal medical and economic option for patients with organ failure, amid rising rates of chronic kidney disease in the Middle East.

He pointed to the UAE’s "Hayat" program, which he said has been classified as the fastest-growing organ donation program worldwide, attributing its success to the adoption of clear institutional policies and the integration of a donation culture within health systems. He stressed that promoting donation from brain-dead cases, adherence to ethical practices in line with the Istanbul Declaration, and expanding regional cooperation and cross-border organ exchange constitute key pillars for building sustainable programs in the region.

The scientific day, held under the patronage of University President Nathir Obeidat, addressed a range of specialized themes in organ transplantation and donation. The first session reviewed leading international models of organ transplant centers, featuring presentations on the Turkish experience by Dr. Hamdi Karakayali of Acibadem University in Turkey, the Saudi experience by Dr. Razan Badr of King Fahd Specialist Hospital, the Egyptian experience by Dr. Amr Abdel Aal of Ain Shams University, the Emirati experience by Ayman Al-Lahham of the SEHA Kidney Care Center, and the US experience by Dr. Saeed Mohammed of Vanderbilt University.

The second session discussed challenges related to establishing a national organ transplant center in Jordan, including religious and legislative challenges, challenges in determining brain death, and societal challenges, with the participation of a select group of academics and specialists from national universities and institutions.

//Petra// AF