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El Salvador · MINSAL · Ministry of Health
Donating in El Salvador
El Salvador coordinates its national donation and transplant program through the Ministry of Health (MINSAL). The system has one of the lowest rates in the region but is working to strengthen its transplant capacity
The main public hospitals in San Salvador concentrate transplant activity, mainly kidney and cornea
Key figures for El Salvador
Donation rate
Not publicly available
national effective donation rate
Governing body
MINSAL
Ministry of Health
Transplant types
Renal · Cornea
main types performed in the country
Main center
San Salvador
capital with highest transplant activity
Source: Ministry of Health of El Salvador (MINSAL)
The public system
How donation works in El Salvador
Governing body and legal framework
The Ministry of Health (MINSAL) is the governing body of El Salvador's health system and coordinates the national donation and transplant program. National regulations govern the donation of organs and tissues, establishing the requirements for procurement and transplantation.
The system has one of the lowest rates in the region, but MINSAL and the public hospital network are working to strengthen awareness and expand access to transplants. That is why it remains crucial that your family knows your wishes.
How to express your wishes
- 1
Get informed about the donation process through MINSAL or your healthcare center
- 2
If you want to be a donor, communicate your decision to your family and your healthcare team
- 3
Share your decision with your family — the family conversation is the best guarantee that your wishes will be respected
- 4
The national system assigns the organ based on objective medical criteria (compatibility, urgency, time on the list)
Living donation
Living kidney donation
Living kidney donation is performed at the main public hospitals in San Salvador, regulated by MINSAL
Donor requirements
- Over 18 years of age, legal capacity
- Blood relative or by affinity, spouse or partner
- Medically, psychologically and socially suitable
- Non-relatives: requires evaluation by the corresponding committee
Coverage and protection
- Coverage under the public health system (MINSAL)
- Comprehensive pre- and post-donation care
- Labor protection for temporary disability post-donation
- Any economic compensation is prohibited
Main centers
Public hospitals in San Salvador concentrate El Salvador's transplant activity
Hospital Nacional Rosales
San Salvador · MINSAL · National reference hospital · Kidney transplant program
Hospital Nacional General San Rafael
Santa Tecla · MINSAL · High-complexity reference center
Hospital Nacional Zacamil
San Salvador · MINSAL · High-complexity care
Hospital Nacional de la Mujer "Dr. Raúl Arguillo Escolán"
San Salvador · MINSAL · Specialized hospital
Program growth
El Salvador strengthens its donation culture
"Every donated organ is a life reborn, a family that recovers hope" — Awareness message, MINSAL El Salvador
Through MINSAL and the public hospital network, El Salvador works to strengthen its national donation and transplant program. Awareness campaigns promote the family conversation as the first step to saving more lives
Official information
MINSAL publishes information about the national transplant program
Talk to your family
In El Salvador, the donation program is growing. The best way to ensure your wishes is to talk about it at home. You can also read the stories of people who have gone through the process
Verified sources
This page summarizes public information from El Salvador's MINSAL. Medical and legal decisions are yours and your healthcare team's