Over 6,800 people waiting for a transplant: impressive numbers in Peru despite a law to encourage organ donations
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In Peru over 6,800 people are waiting for an organ or tissue which could give them back a normal life. Among the most common requests are transplants kidneys and corneas. However, according to data provided by the General Directorate of Donations, Transplants and Blood Bank (Digdot), only six donors were identified as of December, a number still far from being sufficient to meet the growing demand.
In May 2023, law no. was approved. 31756, an innovative regulation aimed at encourage organ donation. This law establishes the principle of the presumption of consent, that is, that all citizens are considered donors unless .
In fact, the legislation defines a cadaveric donor as a civilly capable deceased personfrom which it is possible to remove organs or tissues for therapeutic purposes, provided that he has not explicitly rejected this possibility during his life.
Too many myths and unfounded fears hinder people’s willingness to become donors
On the occasion of International Organ and Tissue Transplant Day, the director general of Digdot, Juan Almeyda, highlighted the progress achieved in recent years. The donor rate went from 0.5 per million inhabitants in 2020 to 1.3 in 2022. However, this figure still remains far from optimal standards, making it essential to raise awareness among the population on the importance of donation.
During 2022, 42 families performed an act of extraordinary altruism agreeing to donate the organs and tissues of their loved ones. This made it possible to perform 730 organ and corneal tissue transplants in 18 accredited healthcare facilities. Furthermore, only 13.52% of adult citizens expressed their consent to organ donation in their National Identity Document (DNI), highlighting an urgent need for education and promotion campaigns.
Almeyda highlighted how numerous myths and unfounded fears hinder people’s willingness to become donors. Yet a single donor can save or improve the lives of up to ten patients. Donating an organ is a gesture of love that it can transform the lives of many. Continuous awareness raising and the fight against prejudice are essential to increase the number of donors and save lives.
