Brasília - Brazil has the world's largest public system of organ transplants. By the end of the year, nearly 11 thousand operations will be performed by the Federal Health System. To encourage the donation of organs, the Ministry of Health launched a campaign, yesterday (14), which will be transmitted by television, radio, and magazines until January 9.

"The campaign helps, because it is always reminding people of the need for a solidary act," affimed the Minister of Health, Humberto Costa.

Compared with 2003, the number of transplants performed this year grew 27.2%, and the number of organ donors, 19.88%. Even so, there are more than 60 thousand people waiting on line for transplants. According to Costa, the aim is to eliminate the line waiting for cornea transplants and to halve the lines waiting for bone marrow and organ transplants by 2007.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Cecília Jorge
Translator: David Silberstein
12/15/2004