Saudi organ transplants save 12 patients, including four children

Published at 4:13 PM on July 17, 2026.

The Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT) regularly coordinates organ retrieval and transplantation procedures both domestically and internationally.

The Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT). — SPA

July 17, 2026 | 04:13 PM

Saudi Gazette

Last Updated: July 17, 2026 | 04:13 PM

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The Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT) saved 12 patients, among them four children, by orchestrating five organ retrieval procedures from brain-dead donors, with four operations completed in just 48 hours.

The life-saving operations were carried out in cooperation with medical institutions inside and outside Saudi Arabia, providing transplants for patients suffering from end-stage organ failure.

The transplants included two hearts (one for a child), two livers (one for a child with liver failure), two lungs, and six kidneys, freeing two children and four other patients from dialysis.

SCOT Director General Dr. Talal Al-Qoufi said the organs were allocated according to established medical ethics and clinical priorities to ensure fair distribution among patients.

He said the achievement reflected close coordination among healthcare authorities and praised the efforts of the Saudi Air Medical Evacuation Administration and the medical teams involved in the operations in Saudi Arabia and abroad.

Al-Qoufi also expressed gratitude to the families of the deceased donors for their decision to donate their loved ones' organs, describing their generosity as giving new hope and life to others.

The center coordinated the procedures with King Abdullah Hospital in Bisha, King Fahad Hospital in Al-Ahsa, Maternity and Children's Hospital in Abha, and the UAE's Hayat Organ Donation and Transplant Program under the Gulf Cooperation Council's organ-sharing program.

Organ transplantation remains the only treatment option for patients with end-stage organ failure and plays a vital role in reducing transplant waiting lists. People in Saudi Arabia can register or withdraw from the national organ donation program through the Tawakkalna platform.

Organ transplantation remains a critical option for patients with end-stage organ failure. The swift coordination and successful outcomes underscore the efficiency of Saudi Arabia's medical infrastructure. Continued public awareness and family consent for organ donation are essential to expand the pool of lifesaving donors.