Peru Completes First Lung Transplant of 2026

Why this is here: A single donor in Lambayeque provided enough organs to potentially save or significantly improve the lives of at least six people—a liver, two kidneys, two corneas, and a pair of lungs.

In Lambayeque, Peru, medical teams completed the country’s first lung transplant of 2026 on May 13th. EsSalud initiated a complex operation to transport two lungs from a donor in Lambayeque to Lima. The organs first arrived at the Edgardo Rebagliati Hospital, then moved to the Guillermo Almenara Hospital where a waiting patient received them.

This procedure involved coordination between EsSalud, the Ministry of Health, the Peruvian Army Aviation, and the Police Air Directorate. The donor also provided a liver, two kidneys, and two corneas, potentially saving or improving the lives of at least six people. EsSalud reports performing roughly 120 transplants so far in 2026.

Despite this success, thousands of Peruvian patients still await organ donations. The availability of organs remains a critical need, and authorities continue to encourage citizens to consider donation. The work to expand access to transplants and support donor families continues.