Peru's organ donation crisis: 87% unwilling to donate, country ranks last in Latin America

As reported by EFE and highlighted by ABC Color, Peru is grappling with a severe organ donation crisis. The stark statistic that 87% of Peruvians do not wish to donate their organs, as indicated on their national identification documents, underscores a deep-seated cultural issue. This places Peru at the very bottom of organ donation rates in Latin America, with a mere 1.5 donors per million population, a figure that pales in comparison to regional averages and significantly higher rates in countries like Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil.

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Unfortunately, we are in last place in Latin America. The regional average is five donors per million inhabitants, and we are at 1.5. Uruguay is at 18, Argentina above 15, and Brazil at 17.

The consequences are dire, with thousands of Peruvians languishing on waiting lists for transplants that could offer them a second chance at life. Martín Padilla, manager of Procurement and Transplant at EsSalud, points to several key barriers. Foremost among these is family refusal, often stemming from a lack of open communication within households about end-of-life wishes. Many families, when faced with the decision after a loved one's passing, opt against donation due to a lack of prior consent, even if the deceased might have agreed.

Furthermore, persistent myths, such as the existence of illegal organ trafficking within the healthcare system, continue to sow distrust. Dr. Padilla vehemently denies these claims, assuring the public that all procedures are strictly supervised by the Ministry of Health and that the integrity of the deceased is fully respected. Religious beliefs also play a role, though it's noted that major world religions generally support organ donation as an act of charity and compassion. To address this, Peru enacted Law 31756 in June 2025, establishing universal presumed consent, meaning all citizens are considered donors unless they explicitly opt out.

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Although people talk to their families about their likes or preferences, they rarely communicate whether they wish to donate their organs in case of death.

Despite these efforts, the numbers from 2025 show only 57 cadaveric donors, leading to 321 transplants. This situation is a critical public health concern for Peru, highlighting a significant gap between the need for organs and the willingness of its citizens to contribute to donation. The cultural conversation around death, organ donation, and trust in the healthcare system needs a profound shift for Peru to move beyond its unenviable position as the region's lowest-ranking country in this life-saving practice.

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There is no alteration of the deceased person's body; bodily integrity is complete, and nothing is seen.