WORLD NEWS – ARGENTINA: As the world observes the day dedicated to transplant patients, Dr. Elisa Serry, a member of the Argentine Federation of Cardiology, highlights the significance of organ donation. In Argentina, 49 heart transplants have already taken place in 2025, underscoring the pressing need for continued awareness and advocacy surrounding organ donation.
The adoption of the “Justina Law” in 2018 marked a pivotal shift in the landscape of organ donation in Argentina, designating all adults as presumed organ donors. This legislative alteration has improved donation rates, increasing from 14 to 20 donors per million inhabitants over recent years. Despite this progress, there remain 163 patients currently awaiting heart transplants, emphasizing the ongoing urgency of the issue.
Dr. Serry elaborates on the logistics behind organ procurement, crucial for ensuring that patients receive timely transplants. Impressive coordination and swift action are necessary once a donor is identified, with specialized teams assessing the situation and reaching out to families to discuss the possibility of donation. The distribution of organs, tailored to the needs of each waiting patient, further illustrates the well-structured process in place.
Speaking to the quality of life for transplant recipients, Dr. Serry notes that many lead normal lives, returning to work and engaging in sports. However, the ongoing challenge lies in the disparity between supply and demand for organs, with kidney transplants consistently topping the list of requirements alongside liver and heart transplants. This calls attention to innovative approaches, including genetically modified organ transplants, as potential avenues to expand options for patients in need.
As celebrations continue, the emphasis remains clear: the need for organ donors is profound, and the message persists that “organs don’t go to heaven,” reinforcing the impact that a single life can have on so many others.
