RIYADH: Saudi King Salman has approved the awarding of the King Abdulaziz Medal (Third Class) to 200 male and female citizens in recognition of their vital organ donations, whether from living or brain-dead donors.
This latest royal decree is part of a continuing national initiative to honor those who give the gift of life. Over the last four years, King Salman has awarded the prestigious medal to well over 2,500 citizens for their life-saving contributions.
A recent television broadcast covered the ongoing initiative, highlighting the Kingdom's dedication to recognizing the extraordinary sacrifices made by its citizens and families in times of grief, while promoting a nationwide culture of organ donation.
The Kingdom’s organ donation program experienced a massive surge in public participation and awareness following a high-profile humanitarian gesture in May 2021, when both King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman officially registered as organ donors.
The national donor program is managed by the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT). King Salman was instrumental in the establishment of the center's predecessor in 1984, aiming to ease the suffering of patients with kidney failure. The program has since expanded to coordinate transplants for all patients suffering from end-stage organ failure, including those requiring new hearts, livers, and lungs.
