# Organ donation developments in South America > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/organ-donation-developments-in-south-america > Updated: 2026-08-31T11:42:34.000Z. Sources: 27. Developments: 7. By late August 2026, Argentina reported significant progress in transplant volume. The National Institute Central Único Coordinador de Ablación e Implante (Incucai) and the Ministry of Health confirmed that 1,427 donation processes had been carried out during the year, enabling 2,551 people to receive transplants. A detailed breakdown of these 2,551 procedures includes 1,096 cornea transplants, 978 renal transplants, 322 hepatic transplants, and 85 cardiac transplants, alongside specialized renopancreatic, hepatorrenal, and pulmonary operations. Of the recipients, 176 were minors. These donations, comprising 664 organ and 763 cornea donations, were coordinated across 22 jurisdictions. In the province of Santa Fe, which has become Argentina’s second-leading jurisdiction for organ procurement, 80 donation processes have been completed in 2026. This has resulted in 216 transplants, accounting for one in every seven transplants performed nationwide. Recent operations in Rosario and Santa Fe city involved complex logistics, such as sanitary flights and police custody, to facilitate transplants for recipients in Buenos Aires and Córdoba. Notably, Cecilia Andrada, Director of the Center for Unique Donation, Ablation, and Organ Implantation (CUDAIO), highlighted a medical milestone in Santa Fe: the successful performance of the first asystole donation process in an adult in Latin America. This technique allows for organ recovery after the heart has stopped beating. Additionally, the Hospital General de Agudos José María Ramos Mejía in Buenos Aires has become the first public hospital in the city authorized by INCUCAI to perform bone marrow transplants for adults, expanding specialized oncological care within the public sector. To promote awareness, August 29 was recognized as Organ Donor Day in Argentina, a date established by the family of María Antonella Trivisonno. This follows a period of growth for the country, which in 2025 reached a historical donor rate of 20.54 donors per million inhabitants. ## Claims - Santa Fe is the second-highest jurisdiction in Argentina for organ procurement. (single source) - Santa Fe has completed 80 organ donation processes so far in 2026. (single source) - These 80 processes enabled 216 transplants out of a national total of 1,455. (single source) - One in seven transplants performed in Argentina utilized organs procured in Santa Fe. (single source) - A heart procured in Rosario was donated to an adolescent at the Garrahan Hospital in Buenos Aires. (single source) - Santa Fe performed the first asystole donation process in an adult in Latin America. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: Santa Fe leads Argentina in organ donation and transplants Santa Fe, Argentina, has become a regional leader in organ donation, completing 80 processes and over 216 transplants this year, including a landmark asystole donation in a public hospital. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santa-fe-reaches-80-organ-donation-processes-in-2026 ### 2026-08-31: Argentina records over 2,500 transplants in 2026 Argentina has recorded 2,551 organ and tissue transplants so far in 2026, including 1,096 cornea and 978 renal transplants, following a period of record-high donation rates. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-records-over-2500-transplants-in-2026 ### 2026-08-28: Argentina reports over 2,500 transplants performed this year Argentina reports that 1,427 donation processes have enabled 2,551 transplants so far this year, as health authorities promote organ donation awareness. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-reports-over-2500-transplants-performed-this-year ### 2026-08-28: Organ transplantation trends show decline in Paraguay and growth in Argentina Organ transplantation trends vary in South America, with Paraguay reporting a 27% decline in procedures since 2024, while Santa Fe, Argentina, sees increased procurement and transplant success. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/organ-transplantation-trends-show-decline-in-paraguay-and-growth-in-argentina ### 2026-08-25: Organ donation rates hindered by family refusal in Chile and Argentina Family refusal and systemic gaps are hindering organ donations in Chile and Argentina, leaving thousands on waiting lists and highlighting a need for cultural change and better psychological support. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/organ-donation-rates-hindered-by-family-refusal-in-chile-and-argentina ### 2026-08-03: Organ donation advances in Chile and Argentina Chile’s La Serena hospital performed a coordinated organ donation, while Argentina approved a national protocol for normothermic perfusion to boost donor organ availability. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/organ-donation-advances-in-chile-and-argentina ### 2026-07-14: 19‑year‑old donor’s organs save six patients in Chaco, Corrientes and San Juan A 19‑year‑old from Chaco donated organs, enabling a multi‑organ transplant that saved six patients in Chaco, Corrientes and San Juan, with kidneys, liver, heart and corneas provided. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/19yearold-donors-organs-save-six-patients-in-chaco-corrientes-and-san-juan --- Cite as: Organ donation developments in South America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/organ-donation-developments-in-south-america