ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Saudi Arabia has launched an innovative National Kidney Exchange Program designed to enhance the success of kidney transplants through family exchanges. This initiative, spearheaded by the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT), offers a novel solution for families when a donor’s kidney is incompatible with their intended recipient. By facilitating reciprocal transplants between patient-donor pairs, the program significantly expands the possibilities for those in need.
In its initial phase, the program will operate at King Fahd Specialist Hospital in Dammam and King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh. SCOT oversees this groundbreaking effort, aiming to increase the pool of living donors and address mismatches in blood and tissue types. This initiative is a cornerstone of the Health Sector Transformation Program, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to improve healthcare services.
The program’s reach is expected to extend to all kidney transplant centers across the Kingdom, fostering a collaborative environment among healthcare providers. SCOT has encouraged participation from all kidney transplant programs to help increase the proportion of living donors from 10% to 30% in the program’s second phase.
This initiative is a part of SCOT’s comprehensive strategy to boost organ transplantation efficiency in Saudi Arabia, optimizing donation impacts and enhancing health service access for both citizens and residents.
