Kidney transplant saves UAE teen prodigy’s life
A16-year-old boy has got a new lease of life as doctors in Dubai performed the first ever paediatric kidney transplant from a live donor in the UAE.
As Khaleej Times reported back in June 2020, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, had stepped in to help the teen.
A Dubai college student, Pritvik Sinhadc was battling longterm renal failure and his condition had worsened on May 31 at a time when his father — his only donor match — was stranded in Doha, Qatar, due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
Sheikh Mohammed wrote a special letter to Pritvik, assuring him that the UAE is his home
and that he would receive the best care possible. “To my dear Pritvik, this is a small gesture from me to you to remind you that you are here at home and that you are in safe hands, and I will pray to God to keep you in good health and safe ... Keep smiling little warrior.”
The surgery was performed by a team of physicians from Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital (Al Jalila Children’s), Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) and Mediclinic Middle East.
In June 2020, Pritvik arrived at the nephrology clinic of Al Jalila Children’s. Having been born with small, partially functioning kidneys, Pritvik had reached end-stage kidney disease and required immediate renal replacement therapy.
Pritvik’s father, Bhaskar Sinhadc, was identified as a successful match, following which he was placed through a full do
nor evaluation process.
The operation, which has saved Pritvik’s life, is also expected to improve the quality of his life in the years ahead.
A young talented boy, Pritvik has been accepted as an official affiliated researcher at BEYOND: Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science to research astrophysics. He is a published co-author on Nasa’s Primer on Astrobiology and graduated as a World Science Scholar in June 2020. However, his medical condition was taking a heavy toll on his research work and his schoolwork.
Pritvik, who was named a UAE Ambassador of Organ Donation, said: “I pledge to work towards raising awareness on the crucial need for organ donation in saving lives of patients like me, who would otherwise not make it without a transplant. I have been lucky to have my father as my donor.”
In December 2020, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced that the government has approved an organ transplant programme.
The transplant was executed by Dr Ramzi Ayache, nephrologist at Mediclinic City Hospital; in collaboration with Dr Farhad Janahi, consultant urologist & transplant surgeon at Mediclinic City Hospital and assistant professor of surgery at MBRU; and Dr Waldo Concepcion, head of the Al Jalila Children’s Organ Transplant Centre.
Humaid Al Qutami, Director-General of the (DHA), said: “The success of Pritvik’s operation marks an important step forward in conducting such highly precise operations. It also supports the development efforts taking place in Dubai.”