Central America Launches Urgent Plan to Combat Kidney Disease with Expanded Transplant Access
Antigua, Guatemala – November 2025 – A critical surge in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) across Central America and the Dominican Republic has spurred a landmark regional initiative to dramatically increase kidney donation and transplantation rates. Health leaders convened in Antigua this week, signaling a unified commitment to tackling a health crisis impacting millions and straining healthcare systems. This is a breaking news development with significant implications for public health in the region, and a story archyde.com is following closely.
Regional Collaboration: A United Front Against CKD
The High-Level Meeting on Transplantation, organized by the National Transplant Organization of Spain (ONT), the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), COMISCA, and AECID, brought together Ministers and Vice Ministers of Health from across the System of the Central American Integration (SICA), along with key experts and representatives. The virtual participation of high-level officials like PAHO Deputy Director Rhonda Sealey-Thomas and Spanish Ambassador María Clara Girbau Ronda underscored the international importance of this effort.
CKD is a silent epidemic, affecting over 800 million people globally and claiming more than a million lives annually. In SICA countries, the situation is particularly dire, with a sustained increase in cases placing immense pressure on already limited resources. A particularly devastating form, CKDnT (Chronic Kidney Disease of non-traditional causes), disproportionately impacts agricultural communities and vulnerable populations – a heartbreaking reality that fueled the urgency of this meeting.
Why Kidney Transplantation? A Lifeline for Patients
While dialysis can sustain life, kidney transplantation remains the most cost-effective and effective treatment for advanced CKD, offering improved survival rates and a significantly better quality of life. However, access to transplantation in SICA countries is severely limited. Currently, transplant activity relies heavily on living donors, and significant hurdles exist in infrastructure, specialized training, funding, data collection, and legal frameworks.
Evergreen Insight: The disparity in transplant access isn’t unique to Central America. Globally, the demand for organs far outweighs the supply. According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), thousands die each year waiting for a life-saving transplant. This regional initiative is a crucial step towards addressing this global challenge.
Key Recommendations & A Path Forward
The meeting resulted in a detailed document of technical recommendations aimed at integrating kidney transplantation into a comprehensive CKD strategy. These recommendations cover a wide range of areas, including:
- Legal Frameworks: Updating laws to facilitate deceased donor transplantation.
- Information Systems: Strengthening registries and traceability systems for dialysis patients.
- Capacity Building: Expanding the skills of healthcare teams.
- Financial Sustainability: Securing dedicated funding for transplant programs.
- Regional Governance: Improving coordination and access to donation and transplantation services.
The recommendations also emphasize the importance of aligning with the World Health Assembly Resolution WHA78.6, which calls for strengthening renal registries and reducing inequities in access to care. The Regional Donation and Equitable Access to Transplant Strategy 2019–2030 (CD57/11) also served as a guiding document, reinforcing the commitment to voluntary donation and equitable access.
Learning from Global Best Practices
A key component of the meeting involved sharing knowledge and best practices. The Spanish transplant system, renowned for its efficiency and high donation rates, served as a model, alongside the successful transplant program in Panama. This “triangular cooperation” approach – leveraging expertise from multiple sources – is expected to accelerate progress across the region.
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PAHO/WHO Commitment & Next Steps
PAHO/WHO has pledged continued technical assistance to support SICA countries in implementing these recommendations, developing National Donation and Transplant Plans, and prioritizing transplantation within their broader CKD strategies. The document of recommendations will be reviewed by the Technical Commission on Chronics and Cancer (CTCC) and presented at the upcoming COMISCA Meeting for adoption and implementation. This marks a pivotal moment in the fight against CKD in Central America, offering a beacon of hope for countless individuals and families affected by this devastating disease.
The urgency of this situation, coupled with the collaborative spirit demonstrated in Antigua, signals a turning point. As the region moves forward with these ambitious plans, archyde.com will continue to provide updates and in-depth coverage of this critical health initiative. Stay tuned for further developments and explore our health section for more information on kidney disease prevention and treatment.
