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Brazil organ transplant demand exceeds supply as waiting lists grow
Brazil is facing a significant gap between organ donation and transplant demand. According to the Ministry of Health, more than 49,000 people are currently on waiting lists, with approximately 45,000 awaiting kidney transplants.
Despite a record high of 4,335 effective donors in 2025, a major obstacle remains family authorization. Data from the Brazilian Association of Organ Transplantation (ABTO) indicates that the average family refusal rate is approximately 45%, often due to lack of communication regarding the deceased's wishes.
To address this, the Electronic Organ Donation Authorization (AEDO) platform, managed by the Colégio Notarial do Brasil, allows citizens to formally register their intent. Since its 2024 launch, thousands of requests have been processed, with São Paulo leading in registrations.
Medical experts also highlight that age is not a definitive barrier to living donation, provided the donor meets specific health criteria. Campaigns like 'Setembro Verde' continue to promote awareness and the importance of discussing donation intentions with family members to ensure wishes are honored.
Entities
Associação Brasileira de Transplante de Órgãos · Brasil · Brazil · Brazilian Association of Organ Transplantation · Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology · Central Estadual de Transplantes · Colégio Notarial do Brasil · Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia · Hospital Pequeno Príncipe · Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre · Itapetininga · Ministry of Health
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In Rio Grande do Sul, 3,069 people are currently waiting for transplants. litoralnarede.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Rio Grande do Sul performed over 1,600 transplant procedures between January and September 2026. litoralnarede.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Federal District recorded 319 public network organ transplants between January and May 2026. www.spacemoney.com.br
- [DISPUTED] More than 49,000 people are currently waiting for a transplant in Brazil. portaloinformante.com.br · acidadenoticia.com.br · vtvnews.com.br · imagemnews.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Since 2024, 346 organ donation authorizations have been registered in Maranhão via the Electronic Organ Donation Authorization (AEDO). portaloinformante.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The highest demand in Rio Grande do Sul is for kidney transplants, with 1,482 people on the waiting list. litoralnarede.com.br
- [● 3 SOURCES] In Brazil, organ donation after death requires explicit authorization from the deceased's family. litoralnarede.com.br · portaloinformante.com.br · www.spacemoney.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] As of August 31, 1,902 people were on waiting lists for organs and corneas in the Federal District. www.spacemoney.com.br
- [● 2 SOURCES] Approximately 45,000 people in Brazil are waiting for a kidney transplant. acidadenoticia.com.br · portaloinformante.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Since its creation, 9,399 Electronic Organ Donation Authorizations (AEDO) have been registered in São Paulo. acidadenoticia.com.br
- [● 4 SOURCES] In 2025, Brazil recorded 4,335 effective donors, a rate of 20.3 donors per million inhabitants. ogirassol.com.br · vtvnews.com.br · imagemnews.com.br · noticias.dino.com.br
- [● 3 SOURCES] The average family refusal rate for organ donation in Brazil is approximately 45%. acidadenoticia.com.br · marianakotscho.uol.com.br · noticias.dino.com.br