Nashami, a mother of three from Kuwait, arrived at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi facing a critical health emergency. Her battle with autoimmune disease had severely damaged her liver and kidneys. She underwent a rare and complex double transplant, becoming the first Kuwaiti patient to have a combined liver-and-kidney transplant at this hospital.
Amidst nearly 1,000 successful transplants and over 280 patients awaiting surgery at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Nashami’s survival story stands out.
“She was extremely jaundiced, exhausted, and had no appetite. Even walking was a struggle,” said Dr. Luis Campos, Director of Liver Transplantation at CCAD.
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Dr. Luis Campos and the CCAD transplant team
Doctors realized that replacing only her liver wasn’t enough. A simultaneous transplant of both organs was essential, involving a marathon surgery with two teams working in harmony.
“The surgery lasted just under eight hours,” noted Dr. Campos. “It was like conducting two major symphonies in perfect harmony.”
Results were swift. In 48 hours, Nashami’s skin transitioned from yellow to healthy pink. Her energy was restored almost immediately, and by day ten, she was walking around, smiling, and anticipating her return to her children.
Nashami (center), her husband (right), and Dr. Luis Campos.
Transforming Transplant Narratives in the Region
She was discharged just ten days post-surgery and soon returned to Kuwait. Her case has inspired a surge in referrals from the GCC, with many choosing CCAD over international options.
Doctors warn against risky commercial transplants abroad, which often result in severe complications. They encourage patients to join the UAE’s national organ donation program, boosting the country’s donor rate from less than one to 15 per million in two years.
Nashami and her husband
For Dr. Campos, seeing patients like Nashami regain their lives is incredibly fulfilling. “Within 24 to 48 hours, they tell me, ‘Doctor, I didn’t know how ill I was until now.’ It’s like flipping a switch — they can think clearly, move, laugh, and rebuild their lives.”
From the brink of organ failure to leaving the hospital in ten days, Nashami’s journey is part of nearly 1,000 transplants in Abu Dhabi over less than a decade, marking significant healthcare progress in the UAE.
