Humanitarian Obligation of Organ Donation Saves Lives, States Dr. Al-Otaibi
In Kuwait, organ donation and transplantation efforts are making significant strides. The country is preparing to perform its first lung transplant by the end of 2025, and it is expanding its heart and kidney transplant programs.
Dr. Turki Al-Otaibi, the President of the Arab Society of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation, marked World Organ Donation Day 2025, held under the theme 'Answering the Call.' He also serves as the Head of the Department of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation and the President of the Kuwait Organ Transplant Society. Dr. Al-Otaibi praised the Ministry of Health and medical teams for their pioneering efforts in organ transplantation, stating that each donated organ offers patients a renewed hope to live. He also considers organ donation a moral and humanitarian commitment.
As of August 2025, around 557 patients are on the national waiting list, predominantly for kidney transplants, followed by liver, pancreas, combined pancreas-kidney, and heart transplants. Approximately 15,000 people in Kuwait hold organ donor cards, although only about 1% are eligible for donation posthumously due to brain death criteria.
Dr. Al-Otaibi did not make any new statements about organ donation on World Organ Donation Day 2025, but he expressed gratitude to all donors for their contribution in organ donation.
Regional cooperation is also playing a crucial role in Kuwait's transplantation efforts. A notable achievement is the successful double organ transplant (liver and kidney) for a Kuwaiti patient named Nashami, performed at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi under a UAE-Kuwait organ sharing agreement established in 2021. This collaboration allows access to a shared waiting list and donor organs from both countries, enhancing timely transplantation for complex cases. Since its inception, this program has saved over 180 patients in the UAE.
Kuwait is not only expanding its domestic transplantation capacity but also leveraging international partnerships to improve patient outcomes. The country aims to address the global organ shortage by actively promoting organ donation awareness nationwide.
According to the World Health Organization, fewer than 10% of patients in need of transplants receive one each year globally. In 2024, 149 kidney transplants were performed in Kuwait. Unfortunately, the number of patients awaiting lung transplants was not provided.
As the world grapples with the organ shortage crisis, countries like Kuwait are leading the way in increasing transplantation rates and promoting organ donation awareness. With the first lung transplant planned for the end of 2025, Kuwait is set to make history in the realm of organ transplantation.
[1] Al-Seyassah Newspaper, "Kuwait to Perform First Lung Transplant by End of 2025," 2025. [2] Kuwait Times, "Successful Double Organ Transplant for Kuwaiti Patient," 2025. [3] Ministry of Health, "National Organ Transplant Waiting List," 2025. [4] World Health Organization, "Organ Donation and Transplantation Data," 2023. [5] Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, "UAE-Kuwait Organ Sharing Agreement Saves Lives," 2021.
- Dr. Al-Otaibi, who serves as the President of the Kuwait Organ Transplant Society, praised the medical teams for their efforts in transplanting not only kidneys, but also liver, pancreas, and heart organs, offering hope to patients suffering from chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease.
- In addition to expanding its domestic transplantation capacity, Kuwait is collaborating with other regions, such as the UAE, to increase access to donor organs and timely transplantation for complex cases, as seen with the successful double organ transplant (liver and kidney) of a Kuwaiti patient named Nashami.
- With the first lung transplant planned for the end of 2025, Kuwait is actively addressing the global organ shortage by promoting health and wellness through therapies and treatments, while also encouraging a culture of organ donation awareness nationwide.
