Reproducible model to perform kidney transplantation in a low-resource population.

Background: In several countries, organ transplantation is limited. We describe the implementation of a model to perform kidney transplantation in a low-resource population through a financial mechanism sharing public, patient, and private foundations funds.

Methods: This was a cohort study of 100 low-resource patients undergoing renal transplantation at the Hospital General of México. The mean age of the transplanted population was 30.07 ± 11.4 years, from which 84% reported an income <400 USD/month. Ninety percent of grafts were obtained from live donors.

Results: The survival rate at 1 year after the procedure was 98%. Patient rehabilitation after transplantation included the incorporation of individuals into productive life and work. The economically active population increased from 8% to 40% after the transplant procedure. The model was successfully implemented as the result of (i) adequate incorporation of medical staff with solid experience in organ transplantation; (ii) institutional public policy and collaboration between diverse services to support donors and receptors; and (iii) financial collaboration to attract resources and funds to guarantee access to immunosuppressants.

Conclusions: Our results led toward an operational, reproducible model for transplanting patients in developing and financial crisis countries, reflecting beneficial long-lasting effects on the patient from the therapeutic, clinical, and economic points of view.