For the first time in the history of organ and tissue donation and transplantation at the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, our country has achieved a donation rate of 10 donors per million inhabitants (dpmh), placing us among the Latin American countries recognized for having the most developed donation systems in the region, behind Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil.
According to Dr. José André Madrigal Bustamante, coordinator of the Institutional Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplant Program at the CCSS, so far in 2025, 53 organ and tissue donors have given a second chance at life to 110 people who received a new organ.
The official mentioned that the growth in the generation of deceased donors has been very significant over the last year, with an 83% increase compared to 2024, which closed with 29 donors, marking the largest year-over-year increase since the creation of the institutional program.
He also explained that, in terms of the donation rate per million inhabitants, Costa Rica registered a rate of 3.15 in 2021; a rate of 5.61 in 2024; and a rate of 10 donors per million (dpmh) in 2025. Costa Rican real estate
Among the best in Latin America
Dr. Madrigal indicated that this rate is internationally recognized as a key parameter that reflects the success of donation and transplant systems, as it allows for comparisons between countries and regions. For example, Uruguay leads the way with 19.2 dpmh, Argentina with 17.7 dpmh, and Brazil with 17.2 dpmh. The Latin American average is around 6.8 dpm/h, which highlights the importance of Costa Rican progress. Costa Rican real estate
The institutional coordinator acknowledged that this result reflects the joint efforts of the entire institutional organ donation and transplant network: medical, surgical, and nursing teams, hospital coordinators, and support staff. This achievement is possible thanks to the solidarity of the Costa Rican people and donor families, whose altruistic gesture makes it possible to save lives. He indicated that surpassing this figure places the country among the best in Latin America and reaffirms the national commitment to solidarity and life.
They’re Not Just Numbers, They’re Lives
As Dr. Madrigal explained, these 53 effective donors this year have made it possible for 110 people to receive a second chance at life through a transplant, and for more than 100 people to improve their quality of life thanks to new tissue, such as a cornea, skin, or bone. Costa Rican real estate
Transplants with organs and tissues from deceased donors during 2025 were:
Kidney transplant: 52
Liver transplant: 40
Heart transplant: 4
Lung transplant: 14
Cornea donation: 54
Tissue donation: 70
By organ type, the greatest advances were seen in liver and lung transplants. Liver transplants increased from 26 in 2024 to 40 in 2025 (+54%), while lung transplants doubled, from 7 in 2024 to 14 in 2025 (+100%). Kidney transplants also showed a sustained increase, reaching 52 in 2025 (+18% compared to 2024). This growth reflects the development and strengthening of the National Donation and Transplant Network to meet the needs of patients waiting for a new organ or tissue, explained Dr. Madrigal.
Dr. Madrigal emphasized that this achievement reaffirms the institutional vision of strengthening the sustainability and equity of the donation and transplant program. In this way, the CCSS reiterates its commitment to continue consolidating management in this area, in order to provide more opportunities for life to people on the waiting list and position Costa Rica as a regional benchmark in organ and tissue donation and transplantation, he emphasized.
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