Organ Transplantation in Saudi Arabia

Abstract The achievements of the organ transplantation program in Saudi Arabia during the year 2011 reflected the progressive success in the number of organ donations and transplantations, but with escalating numbers of end stage organ failure patients awaiting transplantation. The organ failure census during 2011 showed more than 12,500 patients are on dialysis in 178 hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and about 22.3% are on the active waiting list for transplantation, with another 20% being evaluated for inclusion in it. The KSA has an active deceased transplant program under the supervision of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT). Clear policies have been laid down to facilitate diagnosis of death by brain function criteri, and the management of potential deceased donors. At the end of the year 2011, a total of 8820 possible deceased cases have been reported to SCOT, of which 710 were reported from 97 intensive care units around the Kingdom during that year. In the last five y...