Liver transplant surgery is a transformative and life-saving procedure, offering hope and improved quality of life to thousands of patients worldwide.
Globally, over 25,000 liver transplants are performed annually, with success rates often exceeding 90%. In the UAE specifically, hospitals consistently achieve transplant success rates around 90–91%, comparable to leading international centres.
King's College Hospital Dubai has emerged as a premier destination, providing world-class liver transplant services with expertise, advanced technology, and comprehensive patient care.
The hospital benefits from a remarkable legacy inherited from its parent institution, King's College Hospital London.
In the sections that follow, we explore the surgical expertise, technology, donor pathways, costs, and international patient support that make King’s College Hospital Dubai a leading destination for liver transplant surgery.
Expert Liver Transplant Surgery in Dubai
King’s College Hospital Dubai holds the distinction of being among the first medical facilities in Dubai officially licensed by the Dubai Healthcare Authority (DHA) to perform liver transplant surgeries.
The hospital reached an important milestone on November 29, 2023, when it successfully completed its very first liver transplant procedure, significantly improving the life of a 38-year-old female patient.
Building upon this groundbreaking success, King’s College Hospital Dubai further enhanced its leadership role by officially launching a specialised Liver Transplant Centre of Excellence for adults and children on November 4, 2024.
The Centre uniquely provides complete liver transplantation care under a single facility, representing a major advancement for liver healthcare services across the region.
Although liver transplantation procedures were previously available in other emirates, notably Abu Dhabi, the establishment of King’s College Hospital Dubai’s specialised Liver Transplant Centre distinctly highlights Dubai’s focused dedication to providing exceptional liver care.
This development ensures residents and international patients alike can access elite-level liver transplant treatments locally, eliminating the necessity to travel abroad for specialised care.
Best Liver Transplant Surgeons in Dubai at King’s College Hospital
At the heart of King’s College Hospital Dubai’s Liver Transplant Centre of Excellence is a distinguished team comprising some of the best liver transplant surgeons in Dubai and globally recognised specialists.
The team is led by the internationally renowned liver transplant expert, Professor Mohamed Rela, who has personally conducted over 4,000 liver transplants worldwide.
His extraordinary expertise is complemented by other eminent specialists, such as Dr. Parthi Srinivasan from King’s College Hospital London and Dr. Rakesh Rai, a highly respected liver transplant surgeon based in Dubai.
This exceptional team of surgeons and specialists ensures that even the most complex liver transplantation cases are handled with unparalleled precision, confidence, and care, achieving remarkable success rates and patient outcomes.
Exceptional Multidisciplinary Care from Dubai's Leading Liver Transplant Specialists
Beyond having access to some of the best liver transplant surgeons in Dubai, patients at King's College Hospital Dubai also benefit from a uniquely holistic approach to liver transplantation care.
The Centre’s approach extends well beyond surgical excellence, integrating comprehensive support from an expert multidisciplinary team to manage every aspect of the transplant journey.
This dedicated team consists of specialists in hepatology (liver care), transplant surgery, anaesthesiology, intensive care medicine, nutritional guidance, psychological support, and tailored rehabilitation services.
From the very first consultation and thorough medical evaluations to attentive post-operative care and long-term recovery planning, the multidisciplinary team ensures each patient receives personalised, detailed attention that addresses both medical and emotional needs.
By bringing together these highly skilled professionals under one roof, King's College Hospital Dubai not only achieves remarkable surgical outcomes but also enhances patient comfort, satisfaction, and overall health throughout the liver transplant journey.
This coordinated care strategy significantly contributes to the consistently high success rates, making it one of the most trusted facilities for comprehensive liver transplant care in Dubai and across the UAE.
Most Advanced Hospital for Liver Transplant Surgery in Dubai
King's College Hospital Dubai stands out as one of the best-equipped hospitals for liver transplant surgery in Dubai, designed to support complex liver transplant procedures and patient recovery.
Recognised as a state-of-the-art liver transplant centre in the UAE, the hospital boasts ultra-modern surgical theatres equipped with advanced medical technologies, including the sophisticated da Vinci Surgical System.
King’s College Hospital Dubai is also known for its dedicated intensive care units (ICUs) designed specifically for transplant patients, featuring advanced monitoring equipment, meticulous patient management and optimal recovery environments.
This positions the facility among the top hospitals with dedicated ICUs for liver transplant patients in Dubai.
Additionally, the hospital’s exceptional diagnostic imaging capabilities—including high-resolution 3 Tesla MRI scanners, 128-slice CT imaging, and the cutting-edge EOS imaging system—enable precise, accurate pre-operative evaluations and post-operative monitoring.
These advanced technologies greatly improve diagnostic accuracy, surgical planning, and patient outcomes.
As one of the leading hospitals in Dubai with the best liver transplant facilities, King's Dubai clearly demonstrates its commitment to provide exceptional patient care, enhanced safety, and consistently successful liver transplantation results.
Liver Diseases and Conditions Treated at King’s College Hospital Dubai
King’s College Hospital Dubai’s Liver Transplant Centre treats a comprehensive range of liver diseases and conditions, including:
- Liver cirrhosis
- Acute liver failure
- Chronic liver disease
- Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
- Portal hypertension
- Biliary tract diseases
- Hepatitis-related complications
- Metabolic liver disorders
- Autoimmune liver diseases
The centre also specialises in advanced procedures such as ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography), minimally invasive laparoscopic hepatobiliary surgery, Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), Microwave Ablation (MWA), and Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE).
Donor Relationship & Eligibility for Liver Transplant in Dubai, UAE
At King’s College Hospital Dubai, liver transplants are performed under the strict ethical and legal guidance of the UAE’s organ transplantation laws, with an unwavering commitment to donor safety, transparency, and world-class medical care.
Patients with a Living Donor
Living donor liver transplants are only accepted from first-degree relatives.
This includes:
- Parent
- Sibling
- Child
- Legally married spouse (with a marriage duration of at least two years)
Important Requirements:
- The relationship must be officially documented and verified through legal means.
- The donor must be between 18–60 years of age, in excellent health, and provide informed, voluntary consent without any form of compensation.
- The donor must not have any major medical conditions, including uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, HIV, hepatitis B/C, or history of substance misuse.
- A series of medical, psychological, and anatomical tests will be conducted, including blood matching and CT/MRI scans to assess liver suitability and surgical safety.
- Final approval is required from a government-authorised ethics committee, which reviews both the relationship and medical readiness.
Patients Without a Living Donor
For patients without a suitable living donor, King’s College Hospital Dubai offers access to a cadaveric liver transplant program through the UAE’s national deceased donor registry (Hayat).
Important Notes:
- This pathway is available only for patients who obtain a UAE residency visa based on medical grounds.
- The program involves a significant financial commitment, with total costs typically starting from USD 204,000.
- Waitlist times vary, but patients with approved documentation are usually listed within weeks, with transplants occurring in 2–3 months, depending on organ availability and clinical priority.
King’s College Hospital Dubai provides expert guidance throughout the process, ensuring that both donors and recipients are cared for with the utmost professionalism, ethics, and compassion. Whether you’re arriving with a donor or seeking access to the deceased donor program, our team ensures your journey is clear, safe, and medically sound.
Living Donor and Deceased Donor Options at King's College Hospital
King’s College Hospital Dubai offers patients both living donor and deceased donor (cadaveric) liver transplant surgery options, tailored precisely to each patient’s medical needs and circumstances.
Living donor liver transplant surgery at King’s Dubai involves a healthy donor, usually a close family member, donating a part of their liver.
The liver naturally regenerates within both the donor and recipient, making this a safe and effective procedure.
Living donor transplants greatly reduce waiting times, allowing patients and their families greater certainty and control over treatment timelines.
For patients who do not have a suitable living donor available, the hospital also facilitates deceased donor liver transplants. Organs for these transplants are secured through the UAE’s national organ waiting list.
Recognising the urgency of liver transplantation, King’s College Hospital proactively supports international patients by facilitating medical-based UAE residency permits, ensuring timely eligibility to join the national transplant waiting list.
Most international patients can expect their transplantation surgery within approximately 2–3 months after arrival in Dubai and completing initial evaluations.
Cost of Liver Transplant Surgery in Dubai at King’s College Hospital
The cost of liver transplant surgery is an important factor when choosing the right hospital and preparing for treatment. At King’s College Hospital Dubai, liver transplant surgery costs start at approximately USD 200,000.
This comprehensive package is transparently structured and designed to cover all major aspects of care, minimising financial uncertainty for patients and their families.
Included in King’s liver transplant surgery package are:
- Extensive pre-operative medical tests, evaluations, and assessments
- Complete surgical costs (including both recipient and living donor, if applicable)
- Post-operative care in the hospital’s dedicated intensive care units (ICU)
- All necessary inpatient medications, treatments, and therapies during hospitalisation
- Specialist care and comprehensive inpatient hospital services
King’s College Hospital Dubai also provides personalised financial counselling to clearly outline and explain all associated costs, ensuring that patients fully understand their financial obligations upfront.
This transparency helps to alleviate concerns over hidden expenses and enables patients to focus fully on their recovery journey.
Comfortable Recovery and Patient-Friendly Facilities at King’s Dubai
King’s College Hospital Dubai offers thoughtfully designed, spacious private rooms equipped with modern amenities and en-suite bathrooms, creating a restful and soothing environment for patients.
Recognising the importance of family support during recovery, the hospital also provides comfortable accommodation options, ensuring that your loved ones can remain close and involved throughout your healing process.
Beyond physical comforts, the hospital prioritises holistic care to support your emotional and psychological well-being.
A dedicated team provides comprehensive counselling and emotional support services tailored to each patient's needs, addressing common concerns and anxieties associated with recovery.
To support your physical healing, King's Dubai offers personalised nutritional guidance to ensure optimal post-transplant dietary care.
Additionally, recognising the spiritual and emotional dimensions of recovery, pastoral and spiritual care services are readily available, respecting diverse cultural and spiritual beliefs.
King's Dubai creates a nurturing and reassuring atmosphere, carefully designed to facilitate not just your physical recovery but also your overall peace of mind and emotional comfort following your liver transplant.
How My 1Health Helps International Patients Access Liver Transplant Surgery in Dubai
At My 1Health, we deeply understand that facing liver transplantation abroad can feel overwhelming and stressful.
Our role as your trusted medical facilitator is to offer you peace of mind, compassionate guidance, and comprehensive practical support at every stage of your treatment journey.
We’re committed to ensuring your pathway to health is smooth, reassuring, and focused entirely on your well-being. We provide:
- Visa and Travel Assistance: Comprehensive support for your UAE medical visa application, including obtaining all necessary medical letters and documentation.
- Personalised Care Coordination: A dedicated patient support specialist is assigned specifically to you, managing every detail of your medical appointments, pre-operative assessments, and post-operative care schedule.
- Accommodation and Family Support: We thoughtfully arrange comfortable, convenient accommodations near King’s College Hospital Dubai tailored to your preferences and budget.
- Reliable Local Transportation: We organise dependable ground transportation services—from your airport pick-up upon arrival in Dubai to daily hospital transfers and any personal appointments.
- Continuous Follow-Up and Aftercare: My 1Health arranges thorough follow-up consultations, helps coordinate rehabilitation programmes, and ensures continuity of care even after you return home.
Choosing My 1Health means partnering with professionals genuinely dedicated to your health and comfort.
We believe your journey towards better health should be smooth, supported, and reassuring at every step, allowing you to focus completely on recovery and restoring your quality of life.
