Manaus/AM – A rapid and coordinated effort among the Health Departments of Amazonas (SES-AM), Acre (SES-AC), and Rondônia (SES-RO), along with the Envira city administration, has given a new lease on life to a 61-year-old local resident.
Elson Wanderley de França underwent a liver transplant on Monday (05) in Rio Branco, Acre, following a 30-hour operation that became a race against time after a compatible organ donor was identified by the Transplant Center on Sunday afternoon (04).
According to Amazonas Health Secretary Nayara Maksoud, the collaboration between states showcased the strength of the Unified Health System (SUS). “A resident of Envira received a liver from a donor in Rondônia, with the transplant performed in Acre. The patient’s hometown played a crucial role in this logistical operation. This integration is essential for overcoming our regional challenges and saving more lives,” she emphasized, having coordinated the action with leaders from the other states.
“Once we were informed of a compatible donor, we initiated an interstate collaboration, and within hours organized the operation which included support from the Envira city administration, facilitating the patient’s transport to Rio Branco. Meanwhile, the Acre government mobilized its teams to retrieve the organ from Porto Velho, Rondônia’s capital,” explained SES-AM Secretary Nayara Maksoud.
On Monday morning, while the patient was flown to Rio Branco, the liver was being retrieved in Porto Velho and transported by helicopter from the State’s Public Security and Justice Secretariat (Sejusp). Overall, the operation involved over 30 hours of collaboration among the teams. The surgery lasted approximately 10 hours and took place at the Acre Hospital Foundation (Fundhacre), a recognized center for transplants in the state.
The patient, who was suffering from cirrhosis and liver cancer, remains hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under the care of a multidisciplinary team, showing promising recovery signs.
In a social media announcement, Elson Wanderley de França’s family expressed their gratitude. “We are immensely pleased to share that the surgery was successful. Elson is now recovering in the ICU in the post-operative phase, and his clinical condition is improving as expected. We extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone involved. May this gesture of solidarity and commitment to life serve as an example for all,” the message stated.
Envira’s mayor, Ivon Rattes, celebrated the mission’s success. “Life should mobilize public managers. That is what we did. I thank the governments of Amazonas and Acre and the team from Rondônia. Everyone was essential in providing this life-saving opportunity for the patient,” he said.
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