In interview, deputy Felix Ruben Benjamin Hays, member of the Health Commission at the Chamber of Deputies in Mexico, announced that there are about 20,000 people who are currently waiting for some kind of transplant in the country, according to data from the National Transplant Registry. He informed that only 6,000 transplants are performed yearly and solely 443 hospitals in Mexico are authorized for transplants.
According to figures from the National Transplant Registry, 11,477 people are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, 7,410 for a cornea, 406 for liver, 42 for a heart, and just over 20 for pancreas and/or lung.
This situation, Felix Hays said, makes urgent to promote the culture of organ donation and the benefits of having a donor card. He added that it is essential to encourage and consolidate the process of cultural and social acceptance in Mexico. Felix Hays added that it is necessary people knowing thoroughly the possibilities to contribute to this humanitarian practice, allowing many lives to be saved and/or improving the quality of lives of people who need it.
The General Health Law stipulates that all Mexicans are able to donate an organ, requiring only their consent, whether the donation occurs pre- or post mortem, said the deputy. Only minors are exempt, unless a parent or guardian authorizing the donation. Mentally disabled and pregnant women are also exempt. Pregnant women may only donate if the receiver is in imminent danger of death and does not involve any risk to mother or baby.
“Many people are unaware of the existence and function of the Volunteer Donor Card, whereby the desire of being a donor of organs and/or tissues for transplantation is manifested, document issued by the National Transplant Center (Cenatra)” said Felix Hays.
This is why, the politician urged citizens to build awareness about the possible salvation of thousands of lives in which they could contribute by becoming donors. He also urged the authorities to strengthen campaigns that promote the consolidation of the organ donation culture.
He added that to increase the number of transplants performed in the country, health authorities and general population must work together. Also, the Federal Government should get involved, he concluded, since only through a cooperative effort this will become a reality in the short term.
Source: Notimex
