The UAE’s Hayat programme provides a national framework for organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Ministerial Decision No. 91 of 2026 reinforces recognition, therapeutic, insurance and in-kind benefits for donors and certain family members. These benefits support donation and recovery; they do not remove the need for detailed medical and legal assessment.
The official MoHAP announcement carried by Emirates News Agency describes eligible groups and support categories. Anyone considering donation should work directly with an authorised transplant team and the national programme rather than relying on an intermediary or social-media request.
Benefits and beneficiaries at a glance
| Area | Official description | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Living donors | Medical, insurance and recovery-related support | Subject to clinical assessment and programme rules |
| Relatives | Certain relatives up to the fourth degree | Eligibility depends on the benefit and official assessment |
| Deceased donors’ families | Recognition and psychosocial support | Handled through authorised programme channels |
| Travel and accommodation | Possible in-kind arrangements | Not an automatic cash entitlement |
| Future transplant need | Priority subject to health condition and assessment | Clinical priority and compatibility still apply |
Who may be eligible
The official summary identifies living donors and their relatives up to the fourth degree, people who have expressed a wish or made a bequest to donate and their relatives, and relatives of deceased donors. The exact benefit is not identical for every person. National Centre and relevant authorities assess eligibility, health condition and the applicable support.
Do not share passports, medical reports or banking details with an unverified caller. Apply the verification habits in our UAE misinformation guide and organise official records with the UAE document guide.
- Contact the official Hayat programme or an authorised transplant facility.
- Ask which donation pathway and benefit may apply.
- Complete independent physical and psychological assessment.
- Read consent information and ask questions before signing.
- Keep medical, insurance and appointment records secure.
- Follow the transplant team’s recovery and follow-up plan.
- Report suspected payment requests or organ trading immediately.
Medical and insurance protection
Living-donor safety begins with medical history, physical and psychological evaluation, blood tests, compatibility testing, imaging and counselling. The official framework describes comprehensive medical and insurance coverage for examinations and procedures related to donation, plus follow-up care after the procedure.
Clinical suitability cannot be decided from age or willingness alone. Compatibility, surgical risk, long-term health and informed consent all matter. For urgent health needs, use the verified channels in our UAE emergency numbers guide.
In-kind and family support
Possible in-kind support includes accommodation near the treating hospital for a donor or companion, travel and transport costs, help connected with recovery and absence from work, and home-care services. Families of deceased donors may receive psychosocial support and formal recognition.
These descriptions should not be converted into assumed cash amounts. Ask the authorised team what is approved, how expenses are arranged and which documents are needed. Keep receipts using the record practices in our UAE receipt guide.
Donation pathways and safeguards
The framework permits regulated living donation between specified relatives and spouses and includes paired donation where an intended donor and recipient are incompatible. Deceased donation and bequests follow separate consent and clinical processes. Organs are allocated by medical criteria, compatibility and clinical priority rather than personal influence.
Organ trading and private payment arrangements are not legitimate shortcuts. Employment or travel decisions should be planned only after official medical advice. The UAE travel-planning guide can help organise transport, while the child passenger guide is relevant when families travel with young children.
Long-term follow-up matters
Donation does not end at discharge. Attend follow-up appointments, report symptoms and follow nutrition, activity and medication instructions. Families should know the treatment team’s contact process and keep insurance information current. The programme’s purpose is to protect both donors and recipients over time, not simply complete a procedure.
Families explaining donation to children can use age-appropriate, honest language. Our family learning guide offers general principles for calm, child-centred communication.
Questions people often ask
What is the UAE Hayat programme?
It is the national programme governing donation and transplantation of human organs and tissues in the UAE.
Do living donors receive medical follow-up?
The official framework includes donation-related medical and insurance coverage and continuing health follow-up.
Are family members eligible for support?
Certain relatives of living, intended and deceased donors may be eligible, depending on official assessment and the specific benefit.
Does donor priority guarantee a future transplant?
No. Priority remains subject to health condition, compatibility, clinical need and assessment by the National Centre and relevant authorities.
Can someone arrange organ donation privately for payment?
No legitimate donation should be arranged through private payment or organ trading. Use only the national programme and authorised transplant facilities.
