The Department of Health, Government of Abu Dhabi organised an International Conference for Initiatives on Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation that took place from November 7-9, 2022 at the ADNEC under the leadership of Dr Ali Al Obaidli, Chairman of the UAE’s National Transplant Committee.

At the inaugural ceremony H.E. Al Hamed Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), launched the ‘Abu Dhabi Community Campaign’ supporting the National Programme for Organ Donation and Transplantation, ‘Hayat’ and also honoured several organ recipients, donors’ families and activists in the field, in appreciation of their sacrifice and effort for being a model of unity and selfless giving. MOHAN Foundation was honoured at the ceremony and Mrs Lalitha Raghuram, Country Head accepted the award.

More than 200 faculty and delegates from Middle east and North Africa attended conference.  It was a hybrid conference with talks at the venue as well as online speakers.  Talks highlighted the work done in the Middle East and neighbouring countries. There were separate sessions on Brain Death Determination and Cornea, Lung, Liver and Paired Kidney Transplant. Importance was given to education and capacity building, promotion, cross border transfers and establishment of National Systems during the conference. Every session started with a donor story.

 MOHAN Foundation’s work was highlighted in two talks.  Dr  Sunil Shroff, Managing Trustee spoke on Role of NGO in Capacity Building of Organ Donation in India and Mrs Lalitha Raghuram spoke of the Professional Education Opportunities in India. MOHAN Foundation set an information desk to talk about the courses and the work that is done in India. Dr Hemal Kanvinde, Q&A Officer manned the information desk.  More than 100 people visited the information desk.  The exhibition space was arranged in stall and painting and registration sections.

Highlighting that organ shortage around the world is one of the prominent current challenges, Dr. Obdali said that it is important to raise awareness in the community. MOHAN Foundation thanks the organisers for the invitation.