570 patients wait for an organ transplant in the Dominican Republic

Dr. Wanda Rodríguez, general coordinator of the National Transplant Coordination Institute (INCORT), said that 570 patients are waiting for an organ transplant in the Dominican Republic, a figure that does not include those who are still preparing to join the waiting list.

In an interview with journalist Federico Méndez on the program Esferas de Poder, on RNN Channel 27, Rodríguez explained that the list mainly includes patients with chronic kidney failure and congestive heart failure, who are waiting for the chance to receive a compatible organ.

The specialist also warned that about 6,000 patients receive dialysis in the country, according to a 2026 registry from the Dominican Society of Nephrology, and pointed to high blood pressure and diabetes as the main causes of kidney disease. She therefore called for stronger prevention and timely medical checkups to detect kidney damage early.

Rodríguez urged families to talk about organ donation and to make their wishes known, because family members take part in the decision after a loved one dies. She warned that myths and misinformation create fear and make it harder for more people to donate.

The INCORT coordinator noted that transplants require specialized medical teams, compatibility testing and thorough evaluations. She also highlighted the kidney transplant coverage included in resolution 533, which eases preparation, the procedure and patient follow-up, and stressed that increasing donation is essential to offer new chances at life to those waiting for an organ.

Photo: Panorama TV

Source: Panorama TV