Kidneys, livers, heart, lungs and pancreas can be donated by a deceased person and thus save up to 10 patients, according to the Ministry of Health.
Data provided by the health portfolio reveals that in 2019, Paraguay reached a historical peak of 3.9 donors per million inhabitants (dpmh),
Subsequently, it suffered a loss during the pandemic, with little movement, to the point of closing 2021 with 1.8 donors per million inhabitants.
In life it is possible to donate a kidney, part of the liver and bone marrow, as long as they are related. In addition, a cadaveric donor can give two kidneys, a liver, a heart, two lungs and the pancreas.
“The Paraguayan who has lost a loved one must have the conviction that he is doing good by respecting the decision of that person who has left, who is saving lives,” said the medical coordinator of the National Institute of Ablation and Transplantation, Dr. Elsa Climbing.
He urged to break down the myths about organ and tissue donation. He clarified that only when the possibility does not exist and the death of the patient has been certified, progress is made in addressing the possibility of donation.
He said that one of the most common reasons for refusing the donation is: “I want to take him, just like wine, whole.” In this regard, he argued that education, knowledge about the concept of death, treatment of the issue with the family, influence this decision.
According to the “Anita Law” 6170/18, any person over 18 years of age is considered an organ donor after their death, unless they express their opposition to the donation in writing during their lifetime.
