In a high-stakes medical operation early this Thursday afternoon, Nuevo León’s Civil Protection agency successfully transferred a set of donor lungs from the IMSS Clinic 46 in Tabasco to Monterrey via air transport. A specially outfitted helicopter from Civil Protection delivered the organs to the UANL Faculty of Medicine campus at Mariano Escobedo International Airport, shaving travel time from approximately 1 hour 15 minutes down to just 10 minutes—crucial for preserving organ viability.
The emergency team, including personnel from Protección Civil de Nuevo León, the State Emergency Medical Regulation Center (CRUM), Nuevo León Firefighters, Ambulance 724, UANL Prevention and Protection staff, Monterrey Transit, and Monterrey Civil Protection, had mobilized in advance to ensure seamless coordination. Once the helicopter landed adjacent to the Faculty of Medicine, a medical convoy transported the lungs directly to Hospital Christus Muguerza Alta Especialidad, where a male patient awaited transplant surgery.
By dramatically reducing transit time, authorities increased the likelihood of a successful transplant. “Timeliness is critical when transporting organs. This effort demonstrates our commitment to saving lives through rapid response and interagency collaboration,” said Civil Protection director Laura Vázquez.
The lungs originated from a voluntary organ donor at IMSS Clinic 46. Upon donor confirmation, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) staff activated the national organ procurement protocol and coordinated with Nuevo León’s emergency services to expedite the transfer. “Chartering a helicopter for this mission reflects both the complexity and urgency of organ transportation,” noted Dr. Ricardo López, head of the transplant unit at Hospital Christus Muguerza. “Every minute saved translates directly into higher chances of transplant success.”
Participating agencies emphasized that such inter-state collaborations have become increasingly vital amid growing demand for transplantable organs. Logistics involved securing clear flight paths, synchronizing landing permissions at Mariano Escobedo International Airport, and arranging a ground ambulance with fully equipped surgical teams. “The level of precision in this operation exemplifies how civil protection can serve beyond disaster response,” remarked UANL Prevention and Protection chief Emilio Rivas.
Once the lungs were delivered to the hospital’s surgical suite, transplant surgeons successfully retrieved and prepared them for implantation. Preliminary reports indicate the patient responded well during the initial phase of the surgery, though medical staff remain cautiously optimistic pending postoperative assessments.
In closing, Nuevo León authorities stated their intention to formalize a permanent “Organ Airlift Protocol” in collaboration with IMSS and CRUM. The protocol would predefine procedures for donor notification, secure funding, and ensure availability of air assets for rapid multi-organ transfers. Health Secretary María Elena García praised the mission’s outcome: “This operation underscores our shared commitment to advancing life-saving medical care through innovation and teamwork.”
