305.3: TPM® Organ donation training in the UAE.

Abstract

Background: The UAE faces major challenges regarding organ donation and transplantation. The education within the medical community is a fundamental pillar in the organ donation process. Lack of knowledge and understanding from the medical community in the organ donation process is one of the main factors impacting in the success of any organ donation program. Implementing a self-sufficient deceased donation program in the UAE is the goal for the collaboration between the UAE National Transplant Committee and DTI-Foundation. Methods: The involvement of DTI Foundation with the donation activity in UAE started in 2015 when Abu Dhabi hosted the first Transplant Procurement Manager (TPM)course in the UAE. The main stream of the educational plan is the TPM courses, although on line training, internships and educational visits have also been facilitated. The TPM methodology combined theoretical sessions and simulations in the main topics of the organ donation process. These trainings are validated both by European Credit Transfer System and Health care continuous education program of the region organizing the course.Participants profile Results: During 2017 3 donors were facilitated. From these donations 14 organs were retrieved, 7 organs were transplanted in the UAE and 7 were transplanted in KSA. In 2018 the donation rate improved and 8 donors were facilitated with a total of 26 organs retrieved. The cooperation between the UAE and KSA continued and 4 of these organs were transplanted in the KSA.Conclusions: The establishment of a sustainable organ donation program requires an adequate international educational program to support an effective in-hospital organ donation structure and a supportive legislative framework. The proficient professionals’ network built will improve the efficacy of the UAE in-hospital OD Unit model.