The Ministry of Health and Prevention has reported that the total number of individuals registered to support the national organ and tissue donation program, known as “Haya,” has reached 37,161 donors.
The ministry is actively implementing various awareness initiatives aimed at promoting a culture of organ donation as a progressive humanitarian and societal choice. This involves launching quality initiatives and events in collaboration with both governmental and private entities, as well as community members, to enhance the “Haya” program and increase the number of registered donors in the country.
The national organ and tissue donation program “Haya” serves as a cornerstone of the UAE’s commitment to health excellence and highlights the significant achievements the country has made in healthcare, which continue to transform positively at all levels.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention has noted that the “Haya” program is recognized as the fastest-growing organ donation initiative in the world, thanks to comprehensive campaigns aimed at raising community awareness of the program’s values and objectives.
Regarding the eligibility for registration in the “Haya” program, the Ministry’s website states: “Any individual holding an Emirati ID and aged 18 years or older is eligible to register as an organ donor.”
Living donors may donate a kidney or part of the liver to relatives up to the fourth degree, while donors who have suffered brain death can save up to eight people by donating their heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and pancreas.
The ministry also indicated that relevant departments immediately contact the families of registered donors upon their passing, to confirm their willingness to proceed with the donation. It emphasizes the importance of discussing the donor’s decision with the family, as the final choice rests with them, even if prior consent had been given.
Phases
The first phase of the “Haya” program was launched in Fujairah as a pilot platform, designed to last 100 days, with a goal of increasing registration for donations by 50%.
The ministry exceeded this target by more than 20% through collaboration among 36 local entities in the emirate, utilizing innovative promotional methods to enhance the effectiveness and humanity of health awareness messages.
Owing to this success, the project has expanded to include other emirates, reflecting the adaptability of the approach and its potential for achieving multiplied results. This has been accomplished through the creation of impactful visual content that documents the stories of donors and recipients, by strengthening governmental partnerships and incorporating modern scientific methodologies that leverage behavioral insights and artificial intelligence to design innovative interventions aimed at enhancing awareness and increasing registration rates for the “Haya” program.