13-month-old receives Dubai's first pediatric liver transplant
In a groundbreaking moment for Dubai's healthcare sector, a 13-month-old child has become the city's first pediatric liver transplant recipient, thanks to a joint effort between King's College Hospital London in Dubai and Al Jalila Foundation.
The complex surgery was led by world-renowned liver transplant specialist Professor Mohamed Rela, and marks a major milestone in Dubai's push for world-class medical care – aligning with the Dubai Social Agenda 33.
The child, Malek, was born with a rare liver disorder known as biliary atresia and was also diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.
Before the transplant could proceed, doctors at Al Jalila Children's Hospital successfully repaired a hole in his heart. His father donated part of his liver, making the life-saving transplant possible.
Malek has since been discharged and is recovering well.
Professor Mohamed Rela – who previously performed a liver transplant on a five-day-old infant, a case recorded in the Guinness World Records as the youngest liver transplant globally – praised the effort as a model of medical excellence and teamwork.
He explained that Malek's condition was particularly complex due to his young age, low weight, and multiple health complications.
He emphasised that the successful outcome highlights the competence of the multidisciplinary medical team and the robustness of the specialised programme, which brings together elite consultants, surgeons, hepatologists, anaesthetists and intensive care experts to deliver holistic care designed to save lives.
Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, signed a cooperation agreement with King's College Hospital London in Dubai during Arab Health 2025.
The agreement aims to expand charitable healthcare initiatives in the UAE by supporting organ transplant programmes.
In a landmark medical breakthrough for the emirate of Dubai and in a testament to the synergy between the public and private healthcare sectors, a medical team at King's College Hospital London in Dubai has successfully performed the city's first liver transplant on a… pic.twitter.com/95erJ7l76I
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 17, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
GDRFA Dubai delegation explores Dubai Health's integrated, human-centered model
Dr. Amer Sharif: Our partnership with GDRFA reflects a shared commitment to enhancing the quality of services delivered to the community Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai visited Dubai Health to learn more about its leading approach to advancing human health and explore opportunities for partnership. The delegation, led by His Excellency Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, included senior representatives: Brigadier Abdulsamad Hussain Suleiman Al Blooshi, Assistant Director General for the Sector of Leadership and Future Affairs, Colonel Expert / Khaled Ahmed Bin Madiah, Assistant Director General for the Digital Services Affairs Sector; Lieutenant Colonel Faisal bin Balila, Deputy Assistant Director General for Institutional Support Affairs; Lieutenant Colonel Salem Mohammed bin Ali, Deputy Assistant Director General for Leadership and Future Affairs; Maj. Mariam Taib Al Budwaawi, Director of Institutional Leadership; and Najla Al-Dookhi, Director of Marketing and Government Communication. The delegation was welcomed by Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO, Dubai Health; Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi, Chief Business Officer, Dubai Health; Dr. Mohamed Al Awadhi, Executive Director of the Dubai Health Women and Children's Campus; and Khalifa Baqer, Chief Operations Officer, Dubai Health. Also in attendance was His Excellency Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority. The visit included a tour of the Dubai Health Operations Center, where His Excellency and the accompanying delegation were briefed on the Patient Journey Redesign Program that follows the patient's experience across all touchpoints. The delegation also reviewed key upcoming Dubai Health initiatives and plans to reinforce Dubai's position as a global healthcare destination. His Excellency Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al Marri commented: 'Our visit to Dubai Health offered a valuable opportunity to explore the model behind the first fully integrated academic health system in Dubai. We also explored ways to enhance collaboration to ensure the delivery of exceptional, human-centered services that reflect the highest standards of quality and excellence. He commended Dubai Health's tangible progress in advancing the patient experience, highlighting the seamless, compassionate care provided throughout the patient's journey. 'This level of integration reflects a strong commitment to service excellence and to delivering truly patient-first care, in line with Dubai's vision to set benchmarks across all sectors,' he added. 'At GDRFA Dubai, we remain committed to working closely with our partners to drive progress and help shape a more advanced and sustainable future.' A shared vision for quality of life Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO Dubai Health, expressed his appreciation for the visit of His Excellency Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al Marri and the GDRFA Dubai delegation. 'This visit reflects our shared commitment to strengthening collaboration between government entities to enhance service quality for both citizens and residents of Dubai.' He added: 'We believe that partnership and alignment across government sectors form a vital foundation for realizing Dubai's forward-looking vision and improving the quality of life for our community. We thank GDRFA Dubai for their continued support and look forward to building on our collaboration to further strengthen the healthcare ecosystem and reinforce Dubai's position as a global benchmark for service excellence.'
TECHx
27-05-2025
- TECHx
Dubai Health, Huawei Launch Smartwatch Study
Home » Smart Sectors » Healthcare » Dubai Health, Huawei Launch Smartwatch Study Dubai Health and Huawei have announced a new research project to evaluate the health monitoring features of the HUAWEI WATCH 5. The project builds on their ongoing collaboration. It focuses on user experience and the usability of advanced health technologies in daily life. The HUAWEI WATCH 5, now available for pre-order in the UAE, represents a major step forward in personal health technology. Huawei revealed that the watch features X-TAP technology. This system uses a distributed sensor array to improve the accuracy of vital sign measurements. It measures physiological signals directly from fingertips. The watch includes integrated ECG and PPG sensors. These are part of the upgraded HUAWEI TruSense System. It also features a Distributed Super-Sensing Module. This allows for faster and more accurate health insights. Dubai Health researchers are conducting the user experience study. They are focusing on how people interact with features like Health Glance. The research aims to generate insights for future development and improvements. The results will be compiled into a health trend report. This report will be jointly published by Huawei and Dubai Health. It will help guide product strategy and design updates for future versions of the smartwatch. • The study supports Dubai Health Innovations' goal of advancing patient care • It aims to improve health outcomes through smart solutions The collaboration was first announced on Huawei and Dubai Health's social media channels. Further updates will be shared as the research progresses.
Khaleej Times
25-05-2025
- Khaleej Times
Bin Hajar is first Emirati to conquer Great Wall Marathon for a cause close to his heart
When Abdulla Bin Hajar Al Shehhi crossed the finish line at the Great Wall Marathon, one of the most punishing in long-distance running. he wasn't thinking about the pain or the historic feat. He was thinking about the children he was running for—young cancer patients waging battles far greater than his own. The Emirati endurance runner, an engineer by day, became the first athlete from the UAE to complete the gruelling race, known for its punishing terrain and more than 5,000 stone steps winding through one of the world's most iconic landmarks. 'Running the Great Wall Marathon wasn't about chasing a personal record or proving something to myself,' he said. 'It was about standing in solidarity with children who wake up every day to fight battles far tougher than any race. With every step, I wanted to carry their strength, their courage—and let them know they're not alone.' Motivated by the courage of young cancer patients, Abdulla partnered with Al Jalila Foundation, a non-profit healthcare organization established in 2013 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and YallaGive to launch a fundraising and awareness campaign supporting childhood cancer research and treatment. His participation in the race, held near Tianjin in northeastern China, helped spotlight a cause that transcends sport. The Great Wall Marathon is more a test of resilience than speed and Abdulla embraced the challenge not as a competitor, but as a messenger. 'Every marathon has its story,' he says. 'This one was about hope, not finish times.' A Decade-Long Journey of Transformation Abdulla's path to international marathons began over a decade ago, in his home emirate of Ras Al Khaimah where he set out on a personal mission to lose weight. Then weighing nearly 100 kilograms, he struggled to stay on a treadmill for more than a few minutes. But something shifted in 2014. During one of his walks, a marathon advertisement caught his eye. Curious and inspired, he signed up for his first race in Dubai. Crossing the finish line was just the beginning. Since then, Abdullah has completed 15 marathons across the globe—including all six of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors. In April, he ran the Boston Marathon, becoming the first Emirati to earn the coveted Six Star Finisher Medal. Yet despite these accolades, Abdulla is quick to downplay the medals and milestones. Raising Awareness, Inspiring Others 'It's not about collecting achievements,' he said. 'It's about using sport to give back—to raise awareness and hopefully, inspire others.' Balancing his athletic goals with a demanding career hasn't been easy. As an engineer at ADNOC, Abdulla spends two weeks each month working 12-hour shifts on a remote island. He often trains by running laps around the island before or after work. Abdulla's ambitions stretch far beyond the Wall—or even the continent. He dreams of running a marathon on every continent and one day seeing a race that unites all the Gulf nations. But his message remains grounded. 'Set goals. Stick to them. Keep going, even when it gets tough,' he said. For children facing cancer, those words carry more than motivational weight—they're a lifeline. And for Abdulla, that's reason enough to keep running.
