King’s College Hospital Dubai Opens Region’s First Paediatric and Adult Liver Transplant Centre of Excellence
King’s College Hospital London – Dubai has launched the UAE's first dedicated Paediatric and Adult Liver Transplant Centre, marking a transformative chapter in Dubai's healthcare offerings. This centre, part of the renowned King’s Liver Transplant Centre of Excellence in the UK, reflects a longstanding partnership with the UAE, rooted in a vision of accessible, world-class healthcare.
The journey began in 1979, when His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan made a pivotal donation to establish King’s Liver Research Centre in London, which has since grown into one of the world’s top liver transplant facilities. Now performing over 200 transplants annually, the UK centre stands as a global leader in liver care. Building on this legacy, King’s College Hospital Dubai inaugurated the first adult liver transplant service in Dubai in 2023, and has now expanded to cover paediatric transplants as well.
Leading the paediatric liver transplant team is Professor Mohamed Rela, a renowned liver transplant surgeon who has completed over 4,000 transplants, including pioneering procedures in paediatric liver transplantation. Known for groundbreaking techniques, Prof. Rela brings unmatched expertise to Dubai, overseeing a multidisciplinary team of specialists in hepatology, surgery, psychology, and nutrition, all dedicated to patient-centred liver care.
Supported by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) and Dubai Health Authority (DHA), this centre aims to reduce the need for patients to travel abroad for advanced liver care, providing local access to top-tier treatment. The centre’s official inauguration on November 4, 2024, at King’s College Hospital in Dubai Hills, saw attendance from prominent figures including HE Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of Al Tayer Group, and several officials from Dubai’s health and policy sectors.
Highlighting the impact, Kimberley Pierce, CEO of King’s College Hospital London – Dubai, noted that many children require liver transplants due to conditions such as biliary atresia. The partnership with the Al Jalila Foundation will provide financial support for families who cannot afford the procedure. Dr. Tashfeen Siddiq Ali, Chief Medical Officer, emphasized that beyond transplants, the centre also offers early detection and prevention programs for liver diseases.
Reflecting on the transformative nature of liver transplants, Prof. Rela shared a story of a patient he operated on as an infant, now thriving as a lawyer. “It’s an operation that changes lives and is essential for this country,” he said. The Dubai centre aims to conduct 30 to 40 transplants in 2024, with plans to establish a unique living donor transplant program. With a 95% success rate for paediatric transplants, the centre is expected to make a lasting impact on the region’s healthcare landscape.
Through this new facility, King’s College Hospital London – Dubai is advancing the UAE’s healthcare goals and delivering compassionate, specialised care that honours Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s legacy, building a foundation for generations to come.
