CHALLENGES AND RESOURCES IN THE ORGAN TRANSPLANTION LANDSCAPE IN NORTH STATES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

Introduction: Organ transplantation involves the removal of an organ from a donor, either living or deceased, and its transfer to a recipient. Despite the increasing number of transplants being performed in the Northeastern region of Brazil, many challenges still persist in this area. Objective: To analyze the landscape of organ transplants in the Northeastern region, focusing on the quantity of procedures performed/estimated and the human resources involved. Methodology: This is an analytical, descriptive, and longitudinal study with a quantitative approach. Data from 2013 to 2022 were collected from the Brazilian Association of Organ Transplantation. Results: Some states in the Northeast, such as Ceará and Pernambuco, have better outcomes regarding the number of transplants performed compared to others. On the other hand, states like Sergipe and Rio Grande do Norte face challenges in terms of infrastructure and the number of professionals required for successful transplantation. It was observed that states with a higher number of transplant teams performed more transplants (p<0.001), highlighting the importance of having skilled professionals in the field. Additionally, states with higher transplant rates also had more patients on waiting lists (p<0.001), indicating that despite performing a high number of transplants, the rate is still insufficient to meet the population's demands. Furthermore, a higher prevalence of male donors in the 18-34 age group was noted. Conclusion: Therefore, it is evident that despite advancements, the Northeastern region still requires investments in infrastructure and professionals dedicated to organ transplantation. Additionally, efforts should be directed towards raising public awareness about organ donation to increase the number of effective donors in the region and ensure that the entire population can receive necessary care.