06/29/2021 4:28 PM
Clarín.com
Society
Updated 06/29/2021 4:28 PM
On the second day of the flight restriction decided by the Government, an ophthalmological specialist reported that five corneas donated for Argentine patients
were stranded
in the United States.
"Five lost donor corneas from the USA due to a canceled flight.
No vision and isolated
. #VarianteDelta", denounced Roger Zaldívar, scientific director of the Zaldívar Institute, a clinic specializing in eye surgery.
The expert thus referred to the inconveniences generated by the
quota of 600 Argentines
who can enter the country, a measure that seeks to limit the cases of the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
5 lost donor corneas from the USA x flight canceled.
WITHOUT VISION AND ISOLATED #VarianteDelta
- ROGER ZALDIVAR (@RogZaldivar) June 29, 2021
The decision, which runs until July 9, caused the cancellation of numerous flights and now has its first consequences in the field of health.
The interventions were canceled and the corneas were returned to the original organ banks.
"Taking up the subject of vacationing in Miami, behind this tweet what I wanted to make visible is the problem we have," Zaldívar told
Clarín
.
Despite Incucai's efforts and the benefits of the Justina Law, in Argentina "44%" of corneal transplants depend on organs arrived from abroad.
It is estimated that there are
4,000 interventions
of this type
on hold.
Roger Zaldívar, an ophthalmologist, warned about transplants canceled due to flight restrictions.
"It is a problem that nobody knows about and I wanted to publicize the data, which is produced by the decrease in flights," the specialist remarked.
Logistical difficulties
Corneal transplantation is one of the most common in the world.
It involves the partial or complete replacement of the cornea to restore damaged tissue or to
improve visual ability
.
Transplants require optimization of organ transfer.
In the case of corneas, they must be stored at 8 ° C and have a
"14-day survival
.
"
It depends on the logistics that the fabric arrives in good condition.
With the restriction of flights, the procedure becomes almost "unviable" and the placement of corneas from abroad becomes difficult.
Since this Monday, the national government established a new entry limit to the country, through which only 600 Argentines can enter per day.
Equivalent to two Airbus 330-200s at full capacity.
A week earlier, with a quota of 2,000, between 1,500 and 1,800 people had returned to Argentina.
In addition, the decision extended the prohibition for the entry of foreigners.
It will govern, in principle, until July 9.
Natasha Niebieskikwiat collaborated
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