Mexico Witnesses Surge in Organ Transplants
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Mexico Witnesses Surge in Organ Transplants

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Sofía Garduño By Sofía Garduño | Journalist & Industry Analyst - Thu, 06/08/2023 - 16:34

In the 1Q23 alone, Mexico witnessed a total of 636 organ and tissue transplant procedures. This figure represents an increase of over 44% compared to the same period in 2022. 

With 442 licensed establishments dedicated to procurement, transplants and tissue banking in 2022, Mexico is making strides in the field of organ transplants. Leading the way in liver transplants are the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ) and the General Hospital of Mexico (HGM) Dr. Eduardo Liceaga. These two establishments successfully performed 44 and 38 liver transplants, respectively, in 2022. Moreover, the National Institute of Cardiology Ignacio Chávez stands as a leader in heart transplants. Notably, the HGM Dr. Eduardo Liceaga has demonstrated increased productivity in heart, kidney, liver and tissue procurement and transplant, as reported by Mexico’s Ministry of Health (SSa).

Between March 2020 and June 2020, donation and transplant rates declined across Mexico due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by MBN. In response, the SSa launched campaigns to promote organ donation, specifically targeting those not affiliated with any social security institute. While organ transplant procedures initially declined in Latin America, Mexico is already witnessing a gradual recovery and an upward trend in donation and transplantat rates.

“Donation culture is a responsibility of all Mexicans and it is something that is increasingly promoted in our country, although we still have a long way to go. It should also be noted that new generations are much more socially conscious. They are volunteers who help create a better country through altruistic actions,” wrote Sergio Medrano, Latin America Regional Director, Be The Match, for MBN.

A donation card exists to facilitate the expression of an individual's desire to donate organs. This simple act holds immense potential to bring hope and save lives, as a single organ donor can potentially enhance the lives of eight individuals and improve 75 more, according to the US Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). In Mexico, an average of 20 people lose their lives daily while waiting for a transplant. Meanwhile, every 10 minutes, another patient joins the waiting list for an organ or tissue, as reported by UNAM.

In cases involving medical-legal considerations, the intervention of the public prosecutor's office may be necessary to ensure that organ donation processes are not impeded. Unfortunately, the lucrative nature of organ trafficking has attracted criminal groups in certain countries. Organ trafficking becomes particularly profitable in nations with aging populations and a higher incidence of diabetes, where the demand for organ transplants is substantial, as noted by INTERPOL. Organs have become valuable commodities in the black market, with kidney buyers, for instance, paying between US$50,000 and US$120,000. Traffickers and intermediaries retain the majority of the proceeds, with vendors receiving less than 10 percent.
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