The lives of teenage twins Moza and Maryam Tarek Al-Nuaimi from Ajman were transformed after undergoing life-saving liver transplants. Since birth, both had experienced liver failure caused by a genetic disorder.
They explained that their condition had made it difficult for them to enjoy everyday life, and they often faced issues like fractures, bleeding, and bruising. "I couldn't sleep as my health was deteriorating, but now I sleep well," Maryam said.
Moza added, “The itching and fatigue have disappeared, and I feel energetic now.”
With their health restored, the twins are excited to continue their education at university and specialise in medicine. They are driven by their experiences in hospitals and a desire to help others.
A challenging road to recovery
The twins' journey to seek treatment took them to several countries, including the UK and South Korea, where they learned about their urgent need for liver transplants. They struggled, however, to find suitable donors.
Tarek Al-Nuaimi, their father, shared: "All the hospitals told us that the only solution was a liver transplant."
While in South Korea, Moza's health worsened making transplantation critical. “I decided to donate part of my liver to her. I underwent all the necessary tests," Al-Nuaimi, who is 47-year-old, said. "When the tests showed I had fatty liver, I had to lose weight, so I lost 25 kilos in nearly a month."
Al-Nuaimi could do this by exercising five hours a day and focusing on a liquid diet.
"During this time, however, Moza's condition improved, and the doctors said a transplant was not immediately necessary as they wanted to monitor how her liver would function."
After returning from South Korea in 2018, the family learned about organ transplantation in the UAE and registered for the 'Hayat Programme' under the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP).
The Hayat Programme is an organ donation initiative that aims people to encourage to donate their organs and tissues in accordance with international standards and practices.
"We thank the Hayat Programme for giving us a healthy life," the Emirati twins told Khaleej Times. "Our lives have changed for the better after the liver transplant."
Another challenge
In 2022, Al-Nuaimi and his wife faced another challenge when their son was diagnosed with kidney failure at the age of nine. He required daily dialysis, undergoing treatment for 10 to 12 hours, as he waited for a donor.
When a donor became available for Moza in 2023, her health improved significantly. This motivated Tarek and his wife to donate a kidney to their son, significantly improving his condition. In March 2024, Maryam underwent a liver transplant as well.
Source: Khaleej Times
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
