Desperation Fuels Illegal Kidney Trade in Myanmar

In Myanmar, villagers faced with crushing poverty are resorting to selling their kidneys to pay off debts and improve living conditions. Stories reveal a complex network of brokers facilitating these illegal transactions, exposing the darker side of organ trade amidst ongoing civil unrest and economic collapse.

In Myanmar, a troubling trend has emerged as desperate villagers turn to selling their kidneys in a bid to escape crippling poverty and debt. The ongoing civil war, sparked by a military coup in 2021, has stifled the economy and left many families struggling to meet basic needs. For Zeya, a farmer living in a rural village near Yangon, the decision to sell his kidney was driven by his despair.

"I just wanted to own a house and pay off my debts," Zeya explains, a pseudonym used to protect his identity. After witnessing others in his community selling their kidneys, he sought out those who could assist him in navigating this underground market.

While illegal in both Myanmar and India, the organ trade continues to thrive, especially amid financial hardships. Zeya found a broker who arranged the necessary medical procedures. After several weeks, Zeya was informed that a potential recipient, a Burmese woman, was ready for the surgery in India. The broker forged documents to present a false familial relationship, allowing the procedure to proceed without raising red flags during the scrutiny by medical authorities.

Zeya recalls the moment he was whisked off to a hospital in northern India, where the surgery took place with minimal complications. Post-operation, Zeya was given a monetary reward that has fluctuated between $1,700 to $2,700—money that helped him settle some of his debts and purchase land. Yet, he was left with lingering health issues, including persistent back pain.

Another individual, Myo Win, echoed similar sentiments, stating that he too resorted to kidney selling after failing to cope with debt and his wife's medical expenses. Like Zeya, he had to falsely claim familial ties to the recipient. He received a comparable financial offer and reported feeling coerced to follow through as he had already accepted a portion of the payment upfront.

Unemployment rates have spiked dramatically since the coup, pushing more individuals to explore such grim avenues for financial relief. According to the UN's development agency, the percentage of the population living in poverty jumped from a quarter in 2017 to over 50% in 2023. People like Zeya and Myo Win illustrate the sacrifice many are making in a country ravaged by turmoil and economic devastation.

While the illegal organ trade is a pervasive issue throughout Asia, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and more, the growing desperation in Myanmar underscores the need for urgent intervention and support for those trapped in poverty. Authorities in India have begun cracking down on such operations, but without regulation and systemic improvement in Myanmar's economic conditions, the black market for organs may only continue to thrive.

In the aftermath, both men reflect on their decisions with mixed feelings—while they've alleviated some financial burdens, the physical and emotional toll has left them wary of their choices. "I have no regrets, but I tell others not to follow this path," Myo Win cautions, highlighting the tragic circumstances forcing individuals into such dire decisions.