Scientific Program

  • Saturday, Jan 27th
  • Sunday, Jan 28th
  • Monday, Jan 29th
  • Tuesday, Jan 30th
08:00 - 08:30
Registration
08:30 – 08:40
UAE First 200 Deceased Organ Donors
Dr. Ali Obaidli
08:40 – 09:00
Introduction to the New Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of September 2023
for Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplant
Dr. Zeyad Al Rais
09:00 – 09:50
Plenary Session I A: Towards Self-Suficiency In Deceased Organ Donation
Session Chair: Dr. Mohamed Al Seiari, Dr. Maria Gomez & Dr. Zeyad Al Rais
9:00 – 9:10
Access to Transplantation – Results of Global Survey
Dr. Marcelo Cantarovich
09:10 – 09:20
UAE Journey – Dubai
Dr. Hanan Al Obaid
09:20 – 09:30
Unified Transplant Healthcare
Dr. Eftratios Chatzixiros
09:30 – 09:40
Middle East Organ Transplant
Dr. Mohammad Ghnaimat
09:40 – 09:50
Q&A
09:50 – 10:40
Plenary Session I B:
Session Chair: Dr. Stephen Beed, Dr. Kalpana Reddy, Dr. Ahmed Al Busaidi
09:50 – 10:00
Overcoming the Organ Shortage
Dr. Alberto Sandiumenge
10:00 – 10:10
6 years of Brain death Declaration in UAE – Lessons learned.
Dr. Malligere Prasanna
10:10 – 10:20
Deceased Organ Donation Shortcomings
Dr. Vivek Kute
10:20 – 10:30
Opt-out system in England
Mr. John Richardson
10:30 – 10:40
Q&A
10:40 – 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30
Opening Ceremony / Hayat Recognition
11:00 – 11:45
Opening Ceremony
11:45 – 11:55
Category 1: Outstanding Hospital
11:55 – 12:05
Category 2: Noteworthy Achieving Hospital
12:05 – 12:15
Category 3: Committed Hospital
12:15 – 12:30
Category 4: Innovation & Creativity
11:40 – 11:45
Q&A
12:30 - 14:00
Lunch & Prayer Break
14:00 – 15:50
Plenary Session II A: Organ Transplantation and Living Donation
Session Chair: Dr. Basheer Al Sankari, Dr. Amna Al Hadari
14:00 – 14:10
Organ Transplant Overview across the globe
Prof. Jeremy Chapman
14:10 – 14:20
Kidney Transplantation - progression and challenges in the UAE
Dr. Muhammad Badar Zaman
14:20 – 14:30
Paired Kidney Exchange in India
Dr. Vivek Kutte
14:30 – 14:40
Controversies in Living Kidney Donation
Dr. John Gill
14:40 – 14:50
DHA Standards for Kidney Transplantation
Dr. Waldo Concepcion
14:50 – 15:00
Q&A
15:00 – 15:50
Plenary Session II B:
Session Chair: Dr. Riad Fadhil, Dr. Talal Turki Al Goufi, Dr. Ali Al Obaidli
15:00 – 15:10
Eurotransplant, benefits in organ sharing in 8 European countries.
Dr. Serge Vogelaar
15:10 – 15:20
GCC fostering collaboration in Donation & Transplantation
Dr. Mustafa Al-Mousawi
15:20 – 15:30
FOEDUS - Facilitating Exchange of Organs
Dr. Franz Immer
15:30 – 15:40
ABOi incompatibility – is it better to desensitize or to find a pair for cross-over transplantation?
Dr. Thomas Muller
15:40 – 15:50
Q&A
14:00 – 15:50
OPO WORKING GROUP
Session Chair: Dr. Maria Gomez, Dr. Ali Al Obaidli
14:00 – 14:20
LifeShare Network: OPO Experience and Innovation
Jeff Orlowski
14:20 – 14:40
A Deep Look Into the USA OPO and Donation System –Nevada Donor Network Story
Joe Ferreira
14:40 – 15:00
DCD program run by the in-hospital OPO
Dr. Marti Manyalich
15:00 – 15:20
Ex vivo Organ Perfusion Lab at OPOs
Rich Pietroski
15:20 – 15:50
Discussion
15:50 – 16:10
Coffee Break / Poster Presentation
16:10 - 17:40
ORAL ABSTRACTS - I
ORAL ABSTRACTS - II
Kidney Transplant Working Group
Led by Dr. Ramzi, Dr. Basheer Sankari, Dr. Suad Sajwani, Dr. Niaz
17:30 – 19:30
Networking Event
08:30 – 10:00
Plenary Session III A: Organ Transplantation
Session Chair: Dr. Suad Sajwani, Dr. Waldo Concepcion Dr. Farooq Khan
08:30 – 08:40
Clinical prediction model for prognosis in kidney transplant recipients (KIDMO)
Dr. Thomas Muller
08:40 – 08:50
Technology: from an enabler to predictor in organ transplants
Dr. Sunil Shroff
08:50 – 09:00
UNOS experience developing US Standards for organ transplants
Dr. Mathew Cooper
09:00 – 09:10
UAE 100 liver transplant experience, outcomes, and future plans.
Dr. Luis Campos
09:10 – 09:20
Q&A
09:20 – 10:10
Plenary Session III B
Session Chair: Dr. Farhad Janahi, Dr. Dr. Mona Al Rukhaimi, Dr. Sadiq Abdulla
09:20 – 09:30
500 Renal Transplants in SKMC
Dr. Mohamed Al Seiari
09:30 – 09:40
Update on High-risk donors: Malignancies
Prof. Jeremy Chapman
09:40 – 09:50
Update on High-risk donors: Kidney Function
Dr. Marcelo Cantarovich
09:50 – 10:00
Renal Allograft Survival: Incidence and Risk Factors Associated with Graft Dysfunction UAE Hospital Experience.
Dr. Amna Al Hadari
10:00 – 10:10
Q&A
8:30 - 10:10
Death by Neurological Criteria
Leads: Dr. Nageswar Bandla, Dr. Deepak Gupta, Dr. Stephen Beed, Dr. David Thompson, Dr. Eduardo Sousa
08:30 – 08:40
1. DNC declaration - Clinicians perspective.
Dr. Eduardo Sousa and Dr. Stephen Beed
08:40 – 08:50
2. DNC declaration - Family perspective
Dr. Deepak Gupta
08:50 – 09:00
3. Case Studies - Challenges of using Ancillary Tests: Perfusion studies, EEG, and other ancillary tests.
Dr David Thompson,
09:00 – 09:10
4. DNC and DNR policy
Dr. Nageswar Bandla
09:10 – 09:20
5. Handling withdrawal of life support after failed consent.
Dr. Deepak Gupta
09:20 – 09:30
6. DNC certification in children
Dr. Deepak Gupta
09:30 – 10:10
Discussion
8:30 - 10:10
Empowering the Next Generation
Leads: Dr. Peter Corridon, Dr. Fatima Al Dhaheri, Prof. Jeremy Chapman
This session is designed to educate, inspire, and mobilize university students, highlighting their potential role in the scientific and medical communities related to organ donation and transplantation.

Discussions on:

  1. Career Pathway
  2. Research Opportunities in Organ Donation & Transplantation
  3. Public Health & Social Perspective
09:30 – 10:10
Discussion
10:10 – 10:30
Coffee Break/ Poster Presentation
10:30 - 12:00
Oral Abstracts - III
Oral Abstracts - IV
Quality Assurance Working Group for Organ Donation
Leads: Dr. Dhoha Al Awadhi, Dr. Tanvi Agarwal, Dr. Jeremy Chapman, Dr. Ayesha Al Khoori
12:00 - 13:30
Lunch & Prayer Break
13:30 – 15:00
Hayat Recognition
13:30 - 14:00
Category 1: Outstanding Hospital
14:00 - 14:30
Category 2: Noteworthy Achieving Hospital
14:30 - 15:00
Category 3 and 4: Committed Hospital And Innovation & Creativity
15:00 - 16:40
Plenary Session IV A - Deceased Organ Donation
Session Chair: Dr. Reda Sharif, Dr. Hamid Siddique, Dr. Huda Al Khalili
15:00 – 15:10
Organ Donation in Canada. Building a donation system
Dr. Stephen Beed
15:10 – 15:25
Donor Network West OPO Experience
Janice Whaley (V)
15:25 – 15:35
UAE Journey in organ donation and transplant – Abu Dhabi experience
Dr. Rashid AlSuwaidi
15:35 – 15:45
New USA OPO System Metrics
Mr. Howard Nathan (V)
15:45 – 15:50
Q&A
15:50 – 16:40
Plenary Session IV B - UAE Donor Hospital Development Round Table
Session Chair: Dr. Eduardo Sousa, Dr. Reginaldo Boni, Dr. Federica Fant, Dr. Adil Al Kharusi
15:50 – 16:00
EHS Hospitals
Dr. Mohamed Naseef
16:00 – 16:10
Dubai Health Authority
Dr. Ashraf Elhouf
16:10 – 16:20
SKMC – SEHA, DoH, AD
Dr. Mohamed Amari
16:20 – 16:40
Private Hospitals
Dr. Michael McLaughlin
16:40 - 17:00
Coffee and Prayer Break
17:00 - 18:30
HAYAT- Organ Donation and Transplantation Awareness Initiatives
Chair: Dr. Ali Al Obaidli, Dr. Saista Amin, Mrs. Nathalie Grall
17:00 – 17:10
Patient Engagement, Diversity, and Education for organ donation and transplantation
Dr. Amy Waterman
17:10 – 17:20
Art and other creative expressions for organ donation community awareness
Dr. Sunil Shroff
17:20 – 17:30
Inspiring Action: The Role of Art in Elevating Organ Donation Rates
Mr & Mrs. Harry van de Bospoort
17:30 – 17:40
New initiatives about education on organ donation and transplantation (Connecting DOTS – Donation and Organ Transplantation Curriculum for School Children)
Dr. Andrea (Andie) Herrera-Gayol
17:40 – 17:50
Ethics, equity, and justice: a view from the belly of the beast
Dr. Sanjay Nagral
ROUND TABLE:
UAE Organ Donation and Transplant Program_ A Global Program of Hope.
17:50 – 18:30
Testimonies of Transplant Recipients and Donor Families from different nationalities, Country representatives and audience (Indian, Philippines, Egypt, Pakistan)
Dr. Ravichandran Subbaraj, Nathalie Grall, Dr. Saista Amin & Patient Testimonies
GALA DINNER
8:30 – 10:30
Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group (DICG) Regional Summit – Plenary Session
Chairs: Ali Abdul Kareem Al Obaidli, Dr. Riadh Fadhil Dr. Marcello Cantarovic
08:30 – 09:00
Balancing ethics and self-sufficiency in organ donation and transplantation
Introductory presentations (2-3) from different regions/cultures
  • India
  • Nigeria
  • Kuwait
  • Switzerland
  • India
  • Qatar
  • Iraq
  • Egypt
  • Pakistan
  • Tunisia
09:00 – 09:25
Historical context of the Declaration of Istanbul and evolution of the Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group
Dr. Sanjay Nagral
09:25 – 09:50
Current ethical challenges in organ donation and transplantation
Thomas Muller
09:50 – 10:00
Deceased Organ Donation in Syria: Challenges and Solutions
Dr. Bassam Saeed
10:00 – 10:30
Panel Discussion - Country Specific
8:30 - 10:30
Nursing or Donor Coordinators.
Leads: Anne Floden, Fatima Ibrahim, Ananthanayagi Purushothaman
Emphasizing intensive & critical-care nurses’ role in organ donation using the validated tool Flodén ATODAI

Hisham Jameel AbouAlloul
Ananthanayagi Purushothaman
Priya S Santharaj
Sharan Arun Alexander
Noor A Alawi
Janrey Carino Raguindin

10:30 - 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00 – 13:00
New Law for Organ Donation and Transplant in UAE Workshop
Chairs: Dr. Ali Obaidli, Dr. Bashier Abdallah, Dr. Maria Gomez
11:00 – 11:15
Baseline Ethical Principles and a Framework for Evaluation of Policies: Recommendations From an International Consensus Forum
Dr. Sanjay Nagral
11:15 – 11:30
Presentation and review of the UAE Federal Decree Law No. 25 of 2023 on Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues.
Dr. Ali Obaidli
11:30 – 12:00
Health Economics Discussions with the Health Insurance companies, and educational session for financial institutions regarding cost and benefits in organ transplantation. from DHA Health.
Dr. Beena Nair, Dr. Meenu Soni, Dr. Sara Al Dalal
12:00 – 12:15
Incentives and support
Dr. Sanjay Nagral
12:15 – 12:30
Death by Circulatory Criteria Organ Donors
Dr. Alberto Sandiumenge
12:30 – 13:00
Altruistic living organ donation
Dr. Marcelo Cantarovich, Dr. Mohammed Al Seiari and Laura Maisey (testimony)
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch and Prayer Break and JOIN ARAB HEALTH
14:00 - 17:30
14:00 – 16:00
UNOS Working Group Meeting
Leads: Casey Ryan
16:00 – 17:30
Donor Maintenance Working Group
Leads: Dr. Nageswar Bandla, Dr. Ammar AbdelHadi, Dr. Galal Abdelnaby, Dr. Reginaldo Boni
14:00 – 17:30
14:00 – 16:00
Breaking Bad News & Procedures for Counselling Donor Families Abroad
Leads: Dr. Nageswar Bandla, Dr. Husain AlAwadhi, Mrs. Pallavi Ram
16:00 – 16:30
Working Group UAE Coroners and Forensic Doctors
16:30 – 17:00
Coroners and forensic doctors’ experiences with medicolegal cases
Leads: Dr. Nageswar Bandla, Dr. Ammar AbdelHadi, Dr. Galal Abdelnaby, Dr. Reginaldo Boni
17:00 – 17:30
Officers of Dubai Police, AD Police, Sharjah Police; Forensic Doctors, Coroners, Prosecutors
8:30 – 11:30
Cross Border Collaboration Towards Developing Organ Donation and Transplant
Chair: Dr. Eftratios Chatzixiros, Dr. Ali Obaidli, Dr. Mohamad Ghnaimat Developing Countries in Organ Donation Leadership
08:30 – 08:45
Tunisia - Tunisian experience in kidney transplantation
Dr. Hafedh Hedri
08:45 – 10:00
Foundational efforts to assist the implementation of deceased organ donation and transplant among developing countries.
  • Sri Lanka
  • Japan
  • Pakistan
  • Philippines
  • India
  • Bangladesh
  • Nepal
  • Egypt
  • Jordan
10:00 - 11:30
GCC Organ Donation and Transplant Network Summit
Dr. Mustafa Al-Mousawi, Dr. Besher Attar

Address networking opportunities in the region to increase organ transplant utilization.

  • Bahrain
  • Kuwait
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Oman
10:00 - 11:30
HLA Tissue Typing Lab - Working Group
Leads: Dr. Gehad Al Ghazali, Dr. Ayeda Al Mahri

Implementing a unique CPRA calculator in the UAE.

11:30 - 12:30
WORKING GROUP - Nursing Transplant Coordinators
Leads: Abdalazeez Alghraizat, Ana Grilo, Dr. Zeina Kassem
12:30 - 14:00
Lunch Break and JOIN ARAB HEALTH
14:00 - 16:00
Kidney and Liver Transplantation in UAE
Chairs: Dr. Waldo, Dr. Saista, and Dr. Muhammad Badar Zaman
14:00 – 15:45
Kidney and Liver Transplantation in the Middle East: challenges and solutions.
15:45 – 16:00
Metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and Liver Transplantation
Dr. Kaiser Raja
14:00 - 16:00
Awareness Strategies for Organ Donation And Transplantation
14:00 – 16:00
Leads: Dr. Amy Waterman, Dr. Sunil Shroff, Asma Al Janaahi, Mr & Mrs Harry and Ms. Wedad Bu Humaid