Andorra Achieves Six Cornea Transplants in First Ten Months of Donation Program

Andorra continues to build momentum in its organ and tissue donation efforts, highlighted by six successful cornea transplants from 17 effective donations within ten months of the programme's launch.

Health Minister Helena Mas shared these figures in a recent update, crediting the achievements to Andorran society's strong sense of solidarity. She described donation as an evolving collective responsibility that has already enhanced patients' quality of life. The ministry regards the results as encouraging, even in this early stage, and emphasised the need to expand the donor base.

Supporting programmes show similar gains. Bone marrow donation now lists 720 registered individuals, yielding one completed transplant and a second pending the recipient's recovery. Blood donation remains robust, underpinning the solidary foundation of Andorra's health system.

Future plans include multi-tissue donations starting in 2026, followed by organ transplants from 2027. These steps draw backing from Spain's National Transplant Organisation (ONT), the Catalan Transplant Organisation (OCATT), and Catalonia's Blood and Tissue Bank.

The progress featured prominently at the tenth anniversary of the Andorran Transplant and Donor Association (ATIDA) on Tuesday afternoon at La Llacuna Cultural Centre in Andorra la Vella. About 20 attendees reviewed a decade of work since the group's 2016 founding by six people with transplant experiences.

Founding president Núria Gras recounted the early challenges of operating without legislation or public knowledge on organ donation. A pivotal effort came at the Andorra la Vella fair, where they collected around 800 signatures advocating for donors, helping secure the near-unanimous transplant law in December 2018. Pandemic setbacks delayed timelines, but leaders remain focused on the 2026 multi-tissue and 2027 organ extraction goals.

ATIDA secretary Maria Jesús Martínez flagged ongoing issues, such as recognising organic disability for transplant recipients. Vice-president Jaume Boneta noted the association's support for 43 individuals through logistical and emotional aid before and after procedures, underscoring Andorra's growing awareness and commitment to becoming a nation of donors.