Transplants of livers and kidneys are now allowed for HIV-positive individuals.

On Tuesday, health officials declared that individuals with HIV are now allowed to donate kidneys or livers to HIV-positive recipients.

The HOPE Act's new rule aims to reduce wait times for transplants, as reported by the AP. It took effect on Wednesday, November 27.

Xavier Becerra, the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, stated that this rule eliminates obstacles to kidney and liver transplants, increasing the donor pool and enhancing outcomes for HIV-positive transplant recipients, according to the AP.

Since 2013, HIV-positive organs have been allowed for transplantation in research studies.

A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that recipients of organs from HIV-positive donors had similar high rates of overall survival and low rates of organ rejection over a four-year period, according to the AP.

Research studies in the U.S. have involved 500 kidney and liver transplants from HIV-positive donors.

The HHS announced that kidney and liver transplants between HIV-positive donors and recipients can be done safely and effectively, according to Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel L. Levine, M.D.

"Research shows that kidney and liver transplants between donors and recipients with HIV can be performed safely and effectively."

"Our commitment to evidence-based practices and continuous improvement drives this policy change. By removing unnecessary research requirements, we can provide more people with HIV access to life-saving transplants."

In 2023, NYU Langone Health performed 576 organ transplants, and Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst for Planet Chronicle, practices at this institution.

"Siegel stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that he has no issue with the use of HIV organs, as there are individuals dying on waiting lists and it increases the supply to meet the high demand."

"What matters is viral load, and we can achieve zero viral load with HIV now being a chronic disease," he stated.

"Transplanting organs from HIV-positive donors to HIV-positive recipients is logically sound, as there is no increased risk involved."

According to the American Kidney Fund, the average wait time for most people on the U.S. national kidney transplant waiting list is between three to five years.

According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, the wait for a liver transplant can last up to five years.

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The HHS reported that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking public comment on allowing heart, lung, and pancreas transplants from HIV-positive donors.