On June 6 of each year, the World Day of Transplanted Patients is commemorated, with the aim of promoting the culture of organ donation, giving the opportunity of life to many people who are still on the waiting list. According to data from the Unique Central National Institute for Ablation and Implant Coordination (INCUCAI), around 7,000 people still need a transplant to save their lives.
Worldwide, more than 20 people die every day waiting for a transplant, and one person is added to the waiting list every 10 minutes.
In Argentina, as reported by INCUCAI, more than 580 organ transplants have been performed so far in 2021 thanks to more than 220 donors and the adaptation of the health system with the corresponding protocols established for the selection of potential donors, ensuring the non-transmission of COVID-19.
From the Secretary of the Government of Health of the Nation they highlight that, during 2020, 1,112 patients on the waiting list received an organ transplant; In total, 660 kidney transplants were performed, 270 liver, 92 cardiac, 45 renopancreatic, 21 pulmonary, 16 hepatorenal, 3 pancreatic, 2 cardiorenal, 2 hepatointestinal and 1 intestinal.
In addition, 642 corneal transplants were carried out, which were possible thanks to the completion of 706 organ and tissue donation processes, carried out throughout the national territory.
“Only three years have passed since the enactment of the Law on Transplantation of Organs, Tissues and Cells (Law 27,447), and we can already say that there is greater awareness and responsibility about people who need a transplant to continue living, however , we need even more commitment from society so that the number of donors per million inhabitants grows, which today exceeds 4.80 donors per million inhabitants ”, says Dr. Valeria El Haj, National Medical Director of OSPEDYC.
Despite the impact of COVID-19 on donation and transplantation activity since the pandemic began, efforts were made to maintain activity and adapt the system.
“If something characterized the pandemic, it was the degree of uncertainty we are going through as a society in general, but especially in the field of health, that is why continuing to raise awareness and accompany such complex treatments has been and continues to be a huge challenge,” adds the Dra. Valeria El Haj.
What are the rights of a donor?
All persons over 18 years of age have the right to express their wish to donate organs, that is, to establish their wishes regarding the destination of their organs and tissues after death.
Given the current context, the procedure can be carried out online through the Mi Argentina application, through which people can access their digital credential expressing their wish to donate organs and tissues.
“It is important to continue providing information so that people join in and know that lives can be saved.
The more people registered to donate, the greater the possibilities for patients, especially for those who need a bone marrow transplant, since only 25% of the patients who require it are compatible with their family group, the rest it must turn to an unrelated donor, through the World Donor Registries, ”explains OSPEDYC’s National Medical Director.
Likewise, it underlines: “A donor can save up to 7 lives, let’s imagine this being transferred to millions of people who make transplantation possible every day through their donation” and concludes “raising awareness is essential to further reinforce what has been done since the health system ”.
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