SANTIAGO, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chile registered 457 organ transplants in 2017, setting a new record as the number of donors rose, Health Minister Carmen Castillo said on Friday.

"There is no greater satisfaction for a health authority than to mark a historic milestone like the one we are announcing today," said Castillo.

The rise in transplants was "the result of the commitment of many to the promotion of organ donation," she added, which led to 10 donors a month.

The increase over 2016 was notable, with 348 organ transplants carried out that year.

Still more needs to be done, said the minister, since currently nine Chileans are in urgent need of transplants, including two little girls requiring a heart transplant and a little boy who needs a lung transplant.

"That's why it is important to maintain and hopefully increase these donation figures," said Castillo.

The minister called for continuing the campaigns to raise awareness about organ donation and for building transplant centers in different parts of the country.