In Myanmar, the troubling rise of illegal kidney sales has come to light through the stories of individuals coerced into such drastic measures. Zeya, a farm worker, shared his experience of selling his kidney to alleviate his financial struggles.
“I just wanted to own a house and pay off my debts—that’s why I decided to sell my kidney,” said Zeya, whose identity has been concealed for safety reasons. Since the military coup in 2021, living conditions have worsened, making survival increasingly difficult for families like his. Zeya reported struggling to feed his young family while being burdened with debt.
He heard of others in his community who had sold their kidneys and initially felt reassured. “They looked healthy to me,” he noted as he began inquiring about the process.
Zeya is one of eight individuals from his area who spoke to BBC Burmese about their decision to travel to India for the procedure. Despite both Myanmar and India outlawing the buying and selling of human organs, Zeya soon found a broker to facilitate the deal, who arranged for medical tests before confirming a potential recipient—a woman from Myanmar.
The broker forged documents to claim Zeya was related to the recipient, allowing the process to proceed. As he entered the operating room, Zeya remained focused on the funds promised to him. After the surgery, he faced considerable pain and required a week in the hospital.
Another donor, Myo Win, also described a similar experience where he pretended to be related to the recipient. He was instructed to memorize details that would support their supposed connection. “The broker set up a fake call with a woman he called my ‘mom’ to convince assessors,” he explained.
Both men expressed feelings of desperation stemming from financial instability, coupled with mounting medical bills. Zeya admitted that he felt relieved to settle his debts but was still unable to build a home due to the lingering effects of surgery. Despite the challenges, he remarked, “I have no regrets about it,” while cautioning others against making similar choices.
Myanmar has become notorious for its trafficking issues, with many individuals being lured under false pretenses into these exploitative situations. Local authorities and advocates are calling for better monitoring to combat these illegal practices and ensure the safety of those at risk.
Credit: BBC News
