Brazil’s Health Ministry Prioritizes Patients After Wrong Kidney Transplant in Natal

Overview

• The Ministry of Health ordered both the patient who received the incompatible kidney and the intended recipient to be prioritized on the national transplant list, with comprehensive clinical, psychological and medication support.
• The wrong recipient experienced immediate complications from an incompatible organ, underwent removal of the transplanted kidney and left the ICU on September 22 to continue recovery in a ward.
• The organ cannot be used for the intended recipient, resulting in the loss of a donated kidney during a period of scarce supply.
• The hospital says it notified competent authorities and is providing full follow-up care to the affected patient and family while its internal inquiry proceeds.
• The state transplant center says it supplied the correct name and that hospitals are responsible for contacting candidates, while Civil Police report no case has been filed.