Participants, experts, and medical specialists from the health and academic sectors called today for strengthening national and regional partnerships and building a sustainable Jordanian model for organ donation and transplantation.

This call came during the 3rd National Scientific Day for Organ Donation and Transplantation, organised by the Deanship of Scientific Research and the School of Medicine at the University of Jordan (UJ) in cooperation with the Jordan Society for Organ Donation. 

The event was held under the patronage of UJ President Prof. Nathir Obeidat, with the support of AlRasheed Hospital Centre, the Jordan Medical Association, and the Liver Transplantation Research Group, affiliated with the Deanship.

Participants from Jordan, UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and USA highlighted the need to intensify regional, institutional, and awareness-raising efforts to address the growing challenges in this vital field.

In his opening remarks, delivered on behalf of Obeidat, Dean of the School of Medicine Prof. Ayman Wahbeh stated that this scientific day represents a significant step in a cumulative national path shaped by leading national institutions, foremost among them the Royal Medical Services (RMS). He noted that UJ continues this approach, emphasising that major national issues are built on partnership and integration, and are maintained through shared responsibility rather than individual or seasonal efforts.

He also lauded the event’s openness to international experiences as a shared human asset that can be leveraged to build a sustainable Jordanian model based on scientific dialogue and collaborative problem-solving. He pointed to Jordan’s early leadership in organ transplantation, starting with kidneys and then hearts, and stressed that liver transplantation, particularly for children, remains one of the most urgent and sensitive medical issues today.

Dean of Scientific Research Prof. Yaser Al-Rayyan affirmed that this scientific day extends a well-established scientific and national journey, reflecting UJ’s commitment to its leading role in serving the community, supporting scientific research, and building effective national partnerships. He emphasised that organ donation and transplantation are health, humanitarian, and national strategic issues requiring long-term institutional work based on science, legislation, and societal awareness.

Al-Rayyan called for linking the event’s outcomes to a sustainable national research agenda to develop the organ transplant system in Jordan and serve Jordanian patients. He pointed out that the biggest challenge is the shortage of donors, necessitating the promotion of a donation culture, strengthening societal trust, evidence-based awareness, empowering medical staff, and establishing clear organ donation policies.

During the opening session, Dr. Fareed Khdair, Consultant in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at Jordan University Hospital, reviewed the status of pediatric liver transplantation in Jordan. He outlined the indications for liver transplants, donor types, and challenges, including high costs and donor shortages. He explained that globally, most pediatric liver transplants rely on brain-dead donors and donation after circulatory death (DCD), with a smaller percentage from living donors. He also discussed prospects for developing this vital field, including establishing a national organ transplant center, raising awareness, and enhancing medical training.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Dr. Raed Al-Jarrah, Senior Specialist in Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery at the Royal Medical Services, reviewed the status of adult liver transplantation in Jordan. He noted that RMS played a pioneering role in introducing and developing liver transplantation in Jordan, culminating in the first fully independent transplant performed by Jordanian hands in 2009. He added that 152 liver transplants have been performed to date, with a five-year survival rate exceeding 69%, in line with international standards, confirming that RMS continues to advance this vital field despite challenges by strengthening pediatric liver transplant programs, promoting the culture of donation, and building specialised 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, emphasised that transplantation is the optimal medical and economic solution for patients with organ failure, amid rising chronic kidney disease in the Middle East. He highlighted the UAE’s “Hayat” program, ranked as the fastest-growing organ donation program globally, attributing its success to adopting clear institutional policies and integrating the donation culture into health systems. He stressed that enhancing brain-dead donor programs, adhering to ethical practices according to the Declaration of Istanbul, and expanding regional cooperation and cross-border organ exchange are essential for building sustainable programs in the region.

The scientific day covered specialised topics across two sessions. The first session, dedicated to reviewing leading international models of organ transplant centers, was moderated by Prof. Yaser Al-Rayyan and Prof. Salam Dardakah. It featured presentations on the Turkish model by Dr. Hamdi Karakayali (Acibadem University), the Saudi model by Dr. Razan Bader (King Fahad Specialist Hospital), the Egyptian model by Dr. Amr Abdel-Aal (Ain Shams University), the UAE model by Ayman Al-Lahham (SEHA-Kidney Care), and the American model by Dr. Saeed Mohammad (Vanderbilt University).