The Penfigo Adventist Hospital (HAP) in Campo Grande, Brazil, has successfully performed its first cornea transplant, marking a significant advancement in healthcare for Mato Grosso do Sul. This development aims to reduce the waiting list for corneal transplants in the state. According to data from the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology (CBO), the number of patients awaiting this procedure has tripled in the last decade, largely due to complications from infections that can lead to irreversible vision damage, including blindness.

Wladna Teixeira, a social worker, was the first patient to undergo the transplant at the hospital. She contracted herpes zoster, which compromised her left eye and caused severe pain and a progressive loss of vision. "I experienced blurred vision, headaches, and fainting spells. During a consultation with a specialist, I was informed that I needed a transplant," she recalls.

Addressing the Waiting List

In Mato Grosso do Sul, over 400 patients are currently waiting for corneal transplants, with wait times potentially reaching up to two years. Fransua Alvarenga, the transplant coordinator at HAP, notes that prior to 2024, only two hospitals in Campo Grande offered this procedure. "We recognized the need to expand services to reduce waiting times. After completing the accreditation process, we are now able to perform corneal transplants," explains Alvarenga.

With this qualification, HAP is embarking on a new chapter in its 75-year history. "We are thrilled to become a Transplant Center. Our expertise in dermatology and the treatment of pemphigus foliaceus will now extend to liver and corneal transplants. This achievement reinforces our mission to serve the population with excellence," stated Everton Martin, the hospital director.

Impact on Patients' Lives

After waiting over a year, Wladna underwent the transplant and describes her experience as life-changing. "I was treated exceptionally well from the start. The hospital staff, surgical team, and doctors were outstanding. This experience not only transformed my life but also made me aware of the importance of organ donation. It's an act that saves lives and restores hope, just as it has restored mine," she expressed.

A Significant Step for the Unified Health System

Cristiane Bernardes, the ophthalmologist responsible for the transplant, emphasized the importance of this new service for public health. "We spent a year preparing to adapt our structure and team. Now, we can offer specialized care for SUS patients, many of whom face wait times of up to two years. Being part of this 'chain of good' is truly gratifying," she said.

With this new specialty, the HAP is enhancing its role in promoting health in the state, strengthening its historic contribution, and reaffirming its commitment to improving the quality of life for the population.

The original article was published on the South American Division Portuguese website.