“It is essential to convey to society that living donation is a safe procedure and a decisive opportunity to significantly improve the quality of life for patients with kidney disease. This is a commitment we all share within the National Health Service [SNS],” stated João Frazão, director of the Nephrology Service at São João Local Health Unit (ULSSJ).
Of the more than 1,800 patients on the waiting list, about 500 are registered with the Hospital de São João, according to information provided by ULSSJ.
On the eve of a tribute by this Porto unit to living kidney donors, João Frazão speaks of “collective responsibility” and acknowledges that, “despite the good results,” much remains to be done in this area.
Portugal ranks among the European countries with the highest prevalence of end-stage chronic kidney disease, a condition requiring regular dialysis sessions that impairs quality of life.
Kidney transplantation is considered the most effective therapeutic solution, which is why living donation has been recognized as an essential response to reduce kidney transplant waiting times and improve patient prognosis.
It is also considered that kidney transplantation, besides transforming recipients’ lives by restoring autonomy and quality of life, represents an added value for the SNS by reducing the number of long-term dialysis patients and freeing up resources for other healthcare services.
According to ULSSJ data, around 120 donor-recipient pairs have been followed at this unit over 20 years.
On Saturday, at 18:00, during the Ceremony in Honor of Living Kidney Donors, ULSSJ aims to honor these individuals and raise awareness in civil society about the importance of living kidney donation.
The initiative also aims to “combat misinformation about the safety of the procedure and publicly value those who, in an act of profound altruism, decided to donate part of themselves to transform another person’s life,” the invitation reads.
