Visiting surgeons from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals in the UK recently assisted in two kidney transplant procedures at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
Dr Yousuf al-Maslamani, medical director of Hamad General Hospital and director of the Qatar Centre for Organ Transplantation announced yesterday that two women with kidney failure — a Qatari and a Jordanian national — received two kidneys from their sisters in Doha. 
The operations were done on consecutive days by the joint team with both patients being discharged a week after the procedures in good health condition. Dr Riadh Fadhil, director of the Qatar Organ Donation Centre said HMC’s excellent record in organ transplantation and distinguished medical-surgical team with extensive expertise in liver and kidney transplants give no reason for patients and their related donors to travel abroad for these procedures. 
“Living related donation, as was the case with these two patients, is increasing in Qatar,” Dr Fadhil said. “We are using a non-invasive laparoscopic technique which has a faster recovery time. A majority of our donors leave the hospital within three days of surgery with smooth post-operative care, return to work and normal activities within a short time, and go on to lead a healthy life with regular follow-up care and healthcare coverage for life.” 
Dr al-Maslamani said members of the UK surgical team visited Doha as part of a wider collaboration between the two centres aimed at sharing of expertise and knowledge.
“HMC is providing transplant patients with world-class pre-operative and post-operative care by an organ transplant team of highly qualified professionals,” Dr al-Maslamani said. 
“We are encouraging patients to have their surgeries and follow-up care here in Qatar where we can provide safe, effective and compassionate care, instead of going abroad.”