Dubai: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has successfully concluded a high-impact, two-day training programme titled 'DHA Certified Hands-on Training on Donation after Circulatory Death', held on 13th and 14th May 2025. This initiative was conducted in collaboration with international experts from the Donation and Transplantation Institute (DTI) in Spain.
According to Emirates News Agency, the workshop marked a significant advancement in DHA's ongoing commitment to expanding the UAE's National Program of Organ Donation and Transplantation. The programme brought together a multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals, including ICU physicians, ER doctors, transplant surgeons, anaesthesiologists, nurses, paramedics, and organ donation coordinators.
The training aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to implement and optimise Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) protocols in clinical practice. This was in line with enforcing the newly published DHA Standards for Donation after Circulatory Death. The programme offered a comprehensive blend of theoretical education, simulation-based training, role-playing scenarios, and real-life case discussions.
Key topics covered included international best practices for DCD, the role of multidisciplinary teams in the DCD process, integration of organ donation into end-of-life care, and clinical and logistical aspects of DCD. To enhance learning outcomes, attendees were organised into small rotating groups, facilitating personalised, hands-on experience and fostering direct interaction with global experts.
Participants who completed the full course were awarded Certificates of Completion and earned Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits. Speaking about the programme's success, Dr. Hanan Obaid, Director of Health Policies and Standards Department at the DHA, highlighted the importance of building national capacity and aligning with global best practices in organ donation and transplantation.
Dr. Chloe Ballest©, Medical Director at DTI, praised the strong partnership between the Dubai Health Authority and Donation and Transplantation Institute, emphasising the empowerment of healthcare professionals with evidence-based practices to enhance the organ donation and transplantation process.
Ayesha Al Falahi, Advisor at DHA, also commented on the significance of the DCD training in empowering healthcare professionals with critical, life-saving skills. She noted that the initiative reflects a collective commitment to building a compassionate, resilient, and community-centered healthcare ecosystem in Dubai.
This initiative supports DHA's strategic vision of improving access to life-saving transplants by expanding the donor pool and implementing internationally proven models for Donation after Circulatory Death. It is aligned with national laws and legislations and contributes to the Dubai Social Agenda 33, a comprehensive plan for the community until 2033. The DHA remains dedicated to transforming the health sector through innovation, excellence, and collaboration, continually driving improvements in patient outcomes and quality of care across Dubai.