Emirati saves sister’s life by donating part of his liver
abu dhabi — An Emirati man, who donated a part of his liver to save his sister’s life does not want to be seen as a ‘hero’ but simply as a brother. Ali Saif, who became the first such donor in the UAE, told Khaleej Times: “My sister Noura kept thanking me for what I have done. But I do not want to take the credit because I know for sure that if it was the other way around, she would have done the same thing for me.”
The 40-year-old father of five and brother to 15 siblings went under the knife to help give his 23-year-old sister with a failing liver a new lease of life. When doctors told the family Noura’s liver was failing, they reacted with denial. “Three of us siblings went through rigorous tests to see who was the right donor. Luckily, I was chosen by the doctor,” said Ali.
The 14-hour surgery at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi was a success and both the siblings are doing fine.
abu dhabi — An Emirati brother has donated a part of his healthy liver to save the life of his younger sister, becoming the UAE’s first living related liver donor.
Ali Saif, the donor, told Khaleej Times that he does not want to be looked at as a hero, but simply as a brother. “My sister, Noura, kept thanking me for what I have done to the point that she said she would name her future son after me.
“But I do not want to take the credit, because I know for sure that if it was the other way around, she would have done the same thing for me.”
The 40-year-old father of five and brother to 15 siblings, and his 23-year-old sister underwent the surgery successfully on July 29. Ali recalled the moment the family came to know about his Noura’s deteriorating condition two years ago. “Noura had stomachaches occasionally, for which we usually blamed a bad or heavy meal.”
He said his sister began visiting hospitals when her condition worsened. Finally, a doctor revealed Noura’s serious health problem. “When the doctor told us, we couldn’t believe it. Her liver was failing.”
Ali said the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) referred the case to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD). “Three of us siblings went through rigorous tests to find the right donor. Luckily, I was chosen by the doctor.”
The 14-hour-long surgery was a success and today, Ali and Noura are doing fine. Ali pointed out that the UAE government showed immense generosity by taking care of the surgery at home, instead of having to travel abroad for the procedure, which he said could have cost around Dh2 million.
“We had eight surgeons and 16 nurses all dedicated for us. The exceptional care made us so proud to be Emiratis.”
It has been almost two months since the operation, yet Noura still feels that it was a surreal moment
Three of the siblings went through rigorous tests to find the right donor. I was chosen by the doctor.”
Ali Saif, donor
The opportunity to have the transplant operation here made it possible for me to continue my studies.”
Noura, patient
Living donation is the extreme act of love, because donor is taking a piece of his healthy self to give it to someone else.” Dr Antonio Pinna, staff physician, Digestive Disease Institute, CCAD
in her life. “I am so grateful. The opportunity to have the transplant operation here made it possible for me to continue my studies before and after the treatment.”
Dr Antonio Pinna, staff physician, Digestive Disease Institute at the CCAD, who led the surgical team, told Khaleej Times the hospital would conduct more living donor liver transplants this year.
“We have around 12 patients actively waiting for a liver transplant. Some of them have relatives that we are evaluating to see if they can become potential partial liver donors,” he said.