Spain transport and health ministries have signed an agreement allowing the free movement of transplant kidneys on high-speed and long-distance rail services.
For the first time, organs for the use in renal transplants will be able to travel on Spain’s AVE network.
Renfe will work alongside the National Transplant Organisation (ONT) to transport the healthy organ or a living donor from one city to another for surgical procedures.
The agreement, which was signed by Minister of Development Ana Pastor and Minister of Health, Social Services and Equality Alfonso Alonso, will ensure those travelling with the organs are fast-tracked through security and supported across the network.
Spain performed its first cross-over kidney transplant with a living donor in July 2009. Since then, more than 100 such transplants have taken place.
The service will initially be used exclusively for kidneys from living donors.
