Dear Colleagues,

I write to you as I start my tenure as President of the International Society for Organ Donation and Procurement (ISODP) and following an extremely successful Congress in Dubai which was attended by 650 delegates from 50 countries. The topics covered were wide-ranging and also addressed some aspects of organ procurement related to the Middle East. The success of the Dubai Congress will, undoubtedly, act as an impetus for organ donation regionally and globally.

I would like to begin by extending my greatest appreciation and thanks to the former ISODP President, Susan Gunderson and the former Council who have worked tirelessly to achieve the objectives of Society - we will undoubtedly continue with the great work you have commenced. At the same time, I would like to welcome the new council members with whom I shall work to advance the goals of the Society particularly to enhance ethical organ donation globally by establishing robust collaborative work among clinical set ups and procurement agencies in different counties including sharing of experiences and training exchanges. To that end. I hope to strengthen Education under the auspices of the Society.

I will also try to enhance the Society’s membership through an innovative marketing drive. An extensive study on the obstacles to donation will be undertaken with particular investigative emphasis at the regional levels taking into account the potential religious, societal and economic hurdles. I will do my best to help developing countries to develop successful and ethical organ procurement programs and I am certain that by joining forces with the TTS headed by Professor Mehmet Haberal, we will be able to collaborate on the enhancing of ethical transplantation programs worldwide.

Thank you all again for dedicating your time and your efforts in truly creating a world where we can improve the lives of many and live up to the oath we took as professionals. I look forward to working closely with you all and I hope our work will bear fruit leading up to the next Congress in Las Vegas in 2021.

Yours sincerely,

Prof. Faissal A.M. Shaheen
President, ISODP