During the seventies sporadic renal transplants were performed in few of the MESOT countries mainly, Turkey, Iran and Egypt and Lebanon. However, with the introduction of Cyclosporine in the early eighties transplantation became the preferred therapeutic modality for end stage renal failure. In 1986 the Islamic theologians (AL Aloma) issued what became known as the Amman declaration in which they clearly accepted brain death and the retrieval and transplantation of organs from living and cadaveric donors. Based on the declaration and similar ones from Al Ahzar, and the Grand muftis of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey, all countries in the Middle East with the exception of Egypt passed laws that allowed cadaveric transplantation and regulated live donations. Currently the countries that have active cadaveric program are Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Tunisia, Jordan and Lebanon. These are also the countries that are performing, liver, heart, pancreas and lung transplants. In total there are over 5,088 renal transplants/year are being performed in the region with Iran being in the lead with 1600. The cumulative number of renal transplant patients is now reaching the 60,000 mark. With a population of 600682175 (for the year 2003) the rate/million for renal transplant in the MESOT is a mere 9/million. The rate of renal transplant range from 31/million in some countries to 0 in others. The major obstacle in establishing an accurate number of transplants is what is known as the tourist transplantation where we find that the same transplanted patients is being registered in different countries. Although the cadaveric programs are active for over 10 years however, till now live related and non related transplants accounts for nearly 85 % of the total transplants.
The data presente4d is collected from MESOT representatives in the region and from publications. For the proper compiling of the registry a format is being proposed and will be presented at the congress for review and adaptation.
It is of great importance to highlight that even with the limited recourses in the region immunosuppressive drugs for induction and maintenance therapy are available and are being used. The cost of transplantation and immunosuppressive therapy is being either totally or heavily supported by governmental agencies