Mexico Launches 'Donating is Transcending' Campaign to Boost Organ Donation

National Campaign Aims to Reduce Waiting Lists

Mexico's Health Minister, David Kershenobich, recently unveiled the national 'Donating is Transcending' (Donar es Trascender) campaign. The initiative, presented at a presidential press conference, seeks to significantly encourage organ donation across the country and alleviate the burden on extensive patient waiting lists. The campaign's central message urges citizens to 'say yes to organ donation' with the slogan: 'For a Mexico without waiting lists. Get informed, decide and tell your family.'

The Critical Need for Organ Donors

The demand for organ and tissue transplants in Mexico remains critical. According to the National Transplant Center (CENATRA), the waiting list exceeded 19,000 patients as of September, with other reports indicating over 20,000 individuals awaiting a transplant. A substantial portion of these patients are in need of a kidney transplant. Mexico's organ donation rates are notably low, with approximately three to four people per million donating organs, a stark contrast to countries like the United States, which sees 42-48 donations per million.

Addressing Barriers to Donation

A significant challenge to increasing organ donation in Mexico stems from the current legal framework. The General Health Law mandates that the final decision regarding organ donation rests with the deceased's family, irrespective of the individual's prior wishes to donate. This often results in a high rate of refusal, with approximately 76% of next of kin denying consent. Efforts to introduce a 'presumed consent' system, where all adults would be considered donors unless they explicitly opted out, were approved by the Senate in 2018 but ultimately halted in the Chamber of Deputies due to public and specialist opposition.

Previous Initiatives and Progress

Despite the challenges, there have been ongoing efforts to improve organ donation in Mexico. Since 2011, hospitals accredited for transplants have been required to assign a donation coordinator to streamline the process of identifying potential donors and coordinating logistics. Additionally, organizations like the Carlos Slim Foundation launched campaigns such as 'Heroes for Life' in 2011 to raise public awareness. In 2024, Mexico saw a 30% increase in organ and tissue donations, largely driven by living donors, who account for 70% of transplants. However, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted donation and transplant rates, particularly within public institutions.