Latest news with #CCAD
Gulf News
28-04-2025
- Health
- Gulf News
UAE: Daughter donates kidney to save father in a robotic transplant
Abu Dhabi: In an inspiring story of love and sacrifice, a 29-year-old daughter has given her 70-year-old father a second chance at life by donating one of her kidneys. The life-saving transplant was performed at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD), where Mamoun Bashir Elnefeidi Ahmed, battling kidney failure, had a robotic transplant, while Noon underwent the traditional organ removal procedure. The Sudanese family, who reside in Egypt, flew to Abu Dhabi – where Noon's twin sister lives. They had been thrown into turmoil after a sudden post-chest infection cascade left Ahmed's kidneys severely damaged. There were hopes that initial dialysis would restore his kidney function, but watching her once vibrant father struggle through grueling dialysis sessions was heart-wrenching for Noon. 'Watching my father's health slowly decline – struggling to eat properly or walk for long – was incredibly difficult. Seeing him sit in a chair for four hours, three times a week, while the dialysis machine worked beside him was even harder. He would mostly sleep through the sessions, which wasn't like him at all,' Noon told Gulf News. Chance to give back However, soon it became clear that only a transplant could save him. 'I was shocked by how rapidly we had reached this critical point. Just weeks ago, he was in good health. My eldest sister gathered us all and explained the situation and what needs to be done from then.' Initially, Ahmed was reluctant to accept a kidney from his children, hoping instead for a non-relative donor. But as his health deteriorated rapidly, the family convinced him that a living-related donor would give him the best chance for survival. Despite concerns from her family, especially about the potential risks to her own future pregnancies, Noon was determined to donate. 'They were worried that, when I get pregnant in the future, I would be classified as a high-risk pregnancy due to having one kidney and would need to be closely monitored. However, there are very few opportunities in this life where we get the chance to give back even 1 per cent of what our parents have given us, and I wasn't willing to let this one pass.' 'It felt surreal' As the day of the surgery approached, Noon faced it with a heart full of faith and a radiant smile. 'It felt surreal – almost as if this was the moment I had been waiting for my entire life.' Post-surgery recovery went smoothly, and the moment she first saw her father after the transplant is one Noon will never forget. 'My mom and I were walking down the hospital corridor when we unexpectedly ran into him. He was being transferred from the ICU to the ward. The moment our eyes met, all the post-surgical discomfort I had been feeling instantly faded – it was pure joy.' 'Act of selflessness' Since the transplant, Noon and her father share a bond deeper than ever. 'Now, we both had a part of us in each other and that's alone says it all. I felt grateful to be by his side, watching him improve with every passing moment. Seeing his face light up when he could finally enjoy a full meal was something I'll never forget.' In a message to others considering organ donation, Noon said it's one of the greatest things anyone can do. 'The blessings that followed after the surgery are beyond anything anyone could ever imagine.' Robotic transplant Interestingly, CCAD was the first hospital in the UAE and the region to introduce robotic kidney transplants in 2022. Dr Rashed Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), noted that the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the field of organ transplantation. 'We are immensely proud of CCAD's remarkable advancements in this field, ensuring the health and well-being of patients across Abu Dhabi. By leveraging cutting-edge medical expertise, infrastructure and fostering a culture of compassion, we are cultivating the world's most intelligent, patient-centric healthcare system capable of delivering best-in-class care to patients in the Emirate and beyond.'
Al Etihad
15-04-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
M42 and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi partners with Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation to build Middle East's first heavy-ion therapy facility for cancer treatment in Abu Dhabi
15 Apr 2025 12:27 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)M42 is set to build a heavy ion therapy facility at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, bringing one of the most advanced and effective cancer treatment technologies to the Middle East and positioning Abu Dhabi as a global leader in oncology innovation and care. The announcement was made during Abu Dhabi Global Health Week (ADGHW) 2025, a major government initiative by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) that seeks to advance the future of health and no heavy ion therapy centre within a five-hour flight radius of the UAE, this facility ensures patients from across the region can access world-class care. The advanced form of radiation therapy will deliver unparalleled precision in targeting and destroying cancerous tumours with greater efficacy, revolutionising cancer treatment, and filling a critical gap in advanced care options for patients in the UAE and the broader of the new facility will begin in 2026 at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD) campus, adjacent to the recently launched Fatima bint Mubarak Center, a first-of-its-kind cancer centre that delivers a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care. The heavy-ion therapy system will include one treatment room equipped with a rotating gantry and one horizontally fixed beam treatment room. The system incorporates cutting-edge high-speed scanning irradiation technology, and a compact rotating gantry equipped with superconducting with the Fatima bint Mubarak Center, the state-of-the-art facility further underscores CCAD's position as a leader in oncology advancements and personalised care, offering a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment, under one first heavy ion therapy system in the region follows a strategic partnership between M42 and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS). The collaboration combines M42's expertise in healthcare innovation with Toshiba ESS's technological advancements in particle therapy, positioning Abu Dhabi as a hub for cutting-edge cancer agreement was recently signed in the UAE by Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of M42, and Chairman of CCAD, alongside Tsutomu Takeuchi, Director, Vice President for Power Systems Division, and Chief Nuclear Officer of Toshiba ESS, marking a significant milestone in the region's healthcare Nowais said, "M42's partnership with Toshiba ESS is a significant step that reinforces our commitment to reshaping the future of global health through cutting-edge innovations and technologies. By introducing heavy ion therapy to the Middle East, we are not only enhancing Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's oncology capabilities but also plugging in a critical gap in cancer treatment options for people in the region. With no other heavy ion radiotherapy center within a five-hour flight radius of Abu Dhabi, this advanced, accurate and effective form of radiation therapy gives hope to cancer sufferers in the region."Takeuchi said, 'Toshiba has always been at the forefront of technological innovation for societal benefit. We are thrilled to partner with M42 to transform cancer treatment in the Middle East region. Heavy ion therapy represents a significant leap forward in radiation therapy, offering faster and less frequent treatments. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this technology will have on cancer patients' lives.'Chief Executive Officer of CCAD, Dr Georges-Pascal Haber, said, "At Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, we are dedicated to bringing the world's most advanced cancer treatment modalities to our patients. The introduction of heavy ion therapy is a testament to our relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence in oncology. By integrating this cutting-edge technology into our cancer care programme, we are not only enhancing treatment outcomes but also providing hope to patients across the globe facing some of the most challenging cancer diagnoses. This milestone solidifies our position as a global leader in personalised, patient-centered oncology care."Heavy ion therapy is globally acclaimed for its superior physical and radiobiological properties compared to traditional photon-based therapies. The advanced treatment delivers higher doses of radiation directly to tumours while minimising damage to surrounding healthy benefits include shorter, less frequent treatment sessions, significantly reducing the overall burden on patients. For instance, early-stage lung cancer can be treated in a single outpatient heavy ion therapy is particularly effective for treating tumours that are inoperable or resistant to conventional therapies, including large tumours and liver metastases. Moreover, it lowers the risk of secondary cancers, offering patients a more effective initial treatment and a safer long-term only 15 centres worldwide offering heavy ion radiotherapy, the addition of this therapy to the Fatima bint Mubarak Center will position the region at the forefront of global oncology services. The development ensures the most advanced radiation therapy is available to patients in the UAE and beyond, marking a significant milestone in cancer treatment innovation.
