‘Village of one kidney’: India-Bangladesh organ traffickers rob poor donors
Summary
Safiruddin, from Bangladesh, sold his kidney in India for $2,900 but now struggles with poor health and financial difficulties. His case highlights a wider issue in his village, where many men sell kidneys due to poverty, as brokers deceive them and violate organ donation laws.Key Facts
- Safiruddin sold his kidney in 2024 for 3.5 lakh taka ($2,900) to escape poverty.
- His village, Baiguni, is known for many residents selling kidneys, earning it the nickname "village of one kidney."
- The organ trade is illegal; brokers forge documents to bypass Indian laws that only allow donations between relatives.
- After selling their kidneys, many donors, like Safiruddin, face poor health and economic struggles.
- A study in the British Medical Journal estimates one in 35 adults in Kalai Upazila, Bangladesh, have sold a kidney.
- Poverty is the main reason for kidney sales, with 83% of donors citing it as their motivation.
- Brokers often do not return passports or provide prescribed post-surgery medicines, leaving donors without care or documentation.
- The demand for kidneys in India and Bangladesh is high, partly due to long waiting lists and strict legal transplant regulations.
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