13-month-old receives Dubai’s first pediatric liver transplant

In a groundbreaking moment for Dubai’s healthcare sector, a 13-month-old child has become the city’s first pediatric liver transplant recipient, thanks to a joint effort between King’s College Hospital London in Dubai and Al Jalila Foundation.

The complex surgery was led by world-renowned liver transplant specialist Professor Mohamed Rela, and marks a major milestone in Dubai’s push for world-class medical care – aligning with the Dubai Social Agenda 33.

The child, Malek, was born with a rare liver disorder known as biliary atresia and was also diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.

Before the transplant could proceed, doctors at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital successfully repaired a hole in his heart. His father donated part of his liver, making the life-saving transplant possible.

Malek has since been discharged and is recovering well.

Professor Mohamed Rela – who previously performed a liver transplant on a five-day-old infant, a case recorded in the Guinness World Records as the youngest liver transplant globally – praised the effort as a model of medical excellence and teamwork.

He explained that Malek’s condition was particularly complex due to his young age, low weight, and multiple health complications.

He emphasised that the successful outcome highlights the competence of the multidisciplinary medical team and the robustness of the specialised programme, which brings together elite consultants, surgeons, hepatologists, anaesthetists and intensive care experts to deliver holistic care designed to save lives.

Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, signed a cooperation agreement with King’s College Hospital London in Dubai during Arab Health 2025.

The agreement aims to expand charitable healthcare initiatives in the UAE by supporting organ transplant programmes.

In a landmark medical breakthrough for the emirate of Dubai and in a testament to the synergy between the public and private healthcare sectors, a medical team at King’s College Hospital London in Dubai has successfully performed the city’s first liver transplant on a… pic.twitter.com/95erJ7l76I

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 17, 2025