HMC holds organ donation course

Hamad Medical Corporation’s organ transplant committee organised a course on “brain death and organ donation” for some 200 employees comprising critical care staff and transplant co-ordinators.The course implemented in line with the transplant committee’s efforts to develop the organ donation and transplantation programmes in Qatar, was part of the continuing education of medical staff working in critical care areas such as intensive care unit, emergency and as transplant co-ordinators. Topics discussed during the course included brain death, existing policies regarding organ donation, and the role of healthcare providers in the organ donation process, particularly in evaluating and maintaining potential donors, and in helping increase the availability of organs for transplantation. Speaking at the event, committee chairman Dr Yousef al-Maslamani highlighted the importance of communication and teamwork in the organ donation and transplantation process.Current transplantation programmes available at HMC include transplant of kidneys, liver and pancreas. “The constant growth in the demand for organs leads to an increased waiting time and mortality among those on the waiting list,” committee vice-chairman and HMC senior consultant nephrologist Dr Hassan al-Malki said while speaking on the legislative, religious and medical aspects as well as the past and current situation of organ donation and transplantation in Qatar. Dr al-Malki highlighted the disparity between the number of organ donors and the increase in the number of patients on the waiting list for organ transplant. Other speakers included Dr Dirk Deleu, who spoke on the clinical aspects of brain death, Dr Husain Alawadhi, who discussed the management and care of donors, and Dr Hatem El Shoubaki on steps needed in evaluating potential deceased donors.Organs for transplantation can be sourced from both living and deceased donors. By Emiri decree, a person with full legal capacity may donate or make a living will to donate one or more of his or her body organs by virtue of a written statement attested by two fully capacitated witnesses. In the case of deceased donors, the consent of their next of kin of full capacity, up to second degree relatives, must be obtained for the donation.