In Myanmar, economic hardship has forced some villagers into desperate measures, including the illegal sale of their kidneys. The black market for human organs thrives due to extreme poverty, a worsening economic crisis, and a lack of regulatory enforcement. Many of these transactions take place in neighboring countries like India, where organ transplants are more readily available, albeit under strict legal restrictions.
Zeya, a farm worker in Myanmar, found himself overwhelmed by debt and unable to support his family. The military coup in 2021 led to economic collapse, and with soaring prices and unemployment, Zeya saw no alternative but to sell his kidney. He was aware that others in his village had done the same, and seeing them seemingly healthy reassured him.
Despite laws in Myanmar and India prohibiting the sale of human organs, Zeya found a broker who arranged medical tests and linked him to a recipient a Burmese woman in need of a transplant. Since India requires a donor-recipient relationship to be proven, the broker forged documents showing Zeya as a distant relative. After a series of formal interviews in India, Zeya underwent the surgery and was compensated with 7.5 million Myanmar kyats (between $1,700 and $2,700, depending on currency fluctuations).
Another villager, Myo Win, also sold his kidney under similar circumstances. He was instructed to memorize a fake backstory, and a “fake mother” was arranged to confirm the relationship to authorities. He too underwent surgery in India, receiving payment described as a “charitable donation,” of which he had to pay 10% to the broker.
Organ trafficking is a persistent issue in many parts of Asia, including Nepal, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that black-market organ transplants account for 5-10% of global transplants, though the real number may be higher. The supply of donated organs meets only about 10% of global demand, making illegal trade a lucrative business.
In India, a growing concern over illegal kidney sales has led to crackdowns on trafficking rings. In July 2023, Indian authorities arrested seven people, including a doctor, for allegedly arranging transplants using fraudulent documents. The suspects reportedly lured impoverished individuals from Bangladesh to sell their kidneys. Hospitals and medical professionals caught in such operations often deny wrongdoing, claiming adherence to legal guidelines.
For those who sell their kidneys, the financial relief is often temporary, and health complications may arise. Both Zeya and Myo Win reported pain and other post-surgical symptoms, but with limited access to follow-up care, they had little choice but to endure.
Despite his suffering, Zeya managed to clear his debts and buy a small plot of land, though he could not afford to build a house. Myo Win, on the other hand, remained unemployed and struggling, warning others not to follow his path.
The root cause of this desperate trade is the dire economic situation in Myanmar. Since the coup, poverty levels have doubled, leaving many with few options for survival. As long as economic hardship persists, the illegal kidney trade will likely continue to exploit the vulnerable, unless stronger enforcement and sustainable solutions are put in place.
