The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has successfully concluded a high-impact, two-days training program “DHA Certified Hands-on Training on “Donation after Circulatory Death” , held on May 13th and 14th , 2025, in collaboration with international experts from the Donation and Transplantation Institute (DTI) -Spain. The workshop represented a significant advancement in DHA’s commitment to expanding the UAE’s National Program of Organ Donation and Transplantation.
The program brought together a multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals including but not limited to: ICU physicians, ER doctors, transplant surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, paramedics and organ donation coordinators. The training focused on equipping participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to implement and optimise DCD protocols in clinical practice to enforce the implementation of the recently published DHA Standards for Donation after Circulatory Death.
The DCD training program offered a comprehensive blend of theoretical education, simulation-based training, role-playing scenarios, and real-life case discussions.
Key topics 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, enabling personalised, hands-on experience and fostering direct interaction with global experts.
All participants who completed the full course were awarded Certificates of Completion and earned Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits.
Speaking about the program’s success, Dr. Hanan Obaid, Director of Health Policies and Standards Department at the DHA said: “This training reflects our commitment to building national capacity and aligning with global best practices in organ donation and transplantation. Our collaboration with international leaders in the field ensures that our healthcare professionals are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to save more lives through expanded donor programs.”
Dr. Chloe Ballesté, Medical Director at DTI said: “The success of this training program reflects the strong partnership between the Dubai Health Authority and Donation and Transplantation Institute in advancing clinical excellence and implementing international models of organ donation. DCD training empowers healthcare professionals with evidence-based practices to enhance the organ donation and transplantation process,”
Ms. Ayesha Al Falahi, Advisor at DHA said: “In line with Dubai’s vision for a world-class healthcare system, the DCD training empowers our healthcare professionals with critical, life-saving skills. It reflects our collective commitment to building a more compassionate, resilient, and community-centered healthcare ecosystem — one where organ donation becomes a cornerstone of hope, healing, and national solidarity.”
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 and aligned with the national laws and legislations.
The Dubai Health Authority is committed to transforming the health sector through innovation, excellence, and collaboration. Through strategic initiatives such as the UAE’s National Program of Organ Donation and Transplantation, DHA continues to drive improvements in patient outcomes and quality of care across Dubai. This initiative is also aligned with the Dubai Social Agenda 33 that represents Dubai Government’s comprehensive plan for its community until 2033.
