Oman performs fourth heart transplant, with one donor helping save four lives

Oman has performed its fourth heart transplant, marking another step in the development of its national organ-transplant programme. The Omani Center for Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation also transplanted four organs from a patient declared brain dead, helping save four patients’ lives.

The centre said the result reflected closer coordination among Oman’s government, military and security health institutions, as well as the growing capability of national medical teams to handle complex transplant procedures. Director Dr Noreen bint Yousef al Balushi said repeated success in a short period showed that the country’s donation and transplantation system had entered a more mature and organised phase.

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The fourth successful heart transplant showed that Oman’s national programme was moving beyond its establishment phase towards continuity and the accumulation of experience.

She described a process that begins with identifying potential donors and accurately diagnosing brain death. It continues through donor assessment, organ preservation and rapid coordination between retrieval and transplant teams. Intensive-care units, laboratories, blood banks, logistics teams and heart, liver and kidney specialists all contribute to making the greatest possible use of each donation.

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Every successful transplant adds to national expertise and strengthens confidence in the country’s ability to provide advanced transplant services.

Doctors said heart transplantation remains one of the most complex specialised procedures and requires readiness throughout the operation. Dr Qasim bin Saleh Al-Abri said the fourth successful transplant showed the national programme was moving beyond its establishment phase toward continuity and accumulated experience. Dr Amna bint Al-Busaidi said each successful operation strengthens national expertise and confidence in Oman’s ability to provide advanced transplant services.

The centre reported 35 organ transplants between January 1 and July 28, 2026: 23 kidney transplants, nine liver transplants and three heart transplants. It also reported 50 corneal transplants. Doctors said continued progress would require investment in specialised staff, training, infrastructure and public awareness to increase organ donation.

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Sustaining progress would require continued investment in specialised personnel, training, infrastructure and public awareness, particularly to increase organ donation.