The Egyptian Liver Transplant Society (ELTS) held its inaugural congress announcing its pledge to support an unprecedented breakthrough in organ transplantation in Egypt with ambitions to help 70,000 patients in need of life-saving organ transplants by 2030. In the presence of Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population, and Sir Magdi Yacoub, the inaugural congress was attended by world-leading global and local transplant authorities.
Abdel Ghaffar said, “Organ transplantation in Egypt is set to witness a quantum leap, long-awaited by patients and the medical community for decades. This is driven by President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi’s direct support for fostering transformational advances in Egypt’s transplantation ecosystem underlined by establishing a world-calibre centre of excellence. Located at the heart of Cairo’s new integrated medical city on the premises of the Nasser Medical Institute, the complex is set to position Egypt as a recognized hub for organ transplantation across the region. The Ministry of Health is also fast-tracking developments in the executive framework to accelerate the implementation of the laws regulating cadaveric organ transplantation.”
Professor Amr Abdel Aal, Head of ELTS said, “Today marks a historic moment for every patient in Egypt whose life depends on an organ transplant. On the occasion of our inaugural congress, the ELTS is pledging to accelerate the implementation of the laws regulating cadaveric organ transplantation towards achieving 70,000 organ transplants in Egypt by 2030, covering liver, renal, heart and lung transplantation. This pledge mobilizes our journey of hope as we set out to multiply the number of donors and the patients who will get a second chance at life.”
“Helping patients and saving lives is at the heart of our mission as physicians and healthcare providers. Renewing hope among patients who have lost hope, especially those who suffer from fatal organ failure has inspired the medical and surgical community to develop and master the life-saving art of organ transplant. Renal transplant marked the beginning of organ transplantation in Egypt in 1978, almost two decades later, this was followed by a liver transplant in 2001. Today we have achieved 25,000 liver transplants, yet paradoxically they were all living-donor transplants, despite the existence of regulations for cadaveric organ transplants,” explained Adel Aaal.
Dr Ahmed El Sabbagh, Consultant of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, at Mansoura University, and ELTS Vice President said, “Establishing ELTS was a critical need to organize collective efforts in the field of liver transplant and drive progress, as well as collaboration and alignment with leading global organ transplant societies.
