Joypurhat/Dhaka, Bangladesh, and New Delhi/Kolkata, India – In the quiet village of Baiguni within Kalai Upazila, Safiruddin, a 45-year-old resident, reflects on the difficult choices that led him to sell his kidney in India in 2024. Seeking a brighter future for his family – comprised of two young daughters and an older son – he made what he thought was a desperate but necessary decision. Having sold his kidney for approximately 3.5 lakh taka (,900), he hoped to lift his family out of poverty and construct a home for his children. However, just over a year later, the financial windfall has dissipated without a trace, and the house remains unfinished, serving as a constant reminder of his sacrifice.
Safiruddin now works in a cold storage facility, grappling with the ongoing discomfort and fatigue that have arisen since his surgery. The physical pain, a lingering consequence of his decision, hampers his ability to work and care for his family. He reflects, “I gave my kidney so my family could have a better life. I did everything for my wife and children.”
His decision ultimately stemmed from a mix of hope and urgency, exacerbated by persistent poverty. The brokers with whom he interacted portrayed the sale as a viable opportunity, painting a picture that overshadowed the inherent risks. They organized travel to India, taking care of all necessary arrangements, while substituting official documents to obscure the true nature of the transaction.
Despite existing laws in India governing organ donations, allowing transplants only between close relatives after stringent verification, traffickers have artfully navigated these regulations. With fabricated documents deceiving both official bodies and the health system, the facade of legalities remains intact, allowing for the illicit trade to persist.
Safiruddin’s story is not an isolated incident. In fact, Baiguni village has gained notoriety as “the village of one kidney,” due to the alarming prevalence of kidney sales. A study published in the British Medical Journal in 2023 indicated that approximately one in 35 adults in the area has sold a kidney, driven primarily by dire economic conditions. The overwhelming majority reported poverty as the crucial factor propelling them to make such life-altering decisions.
Josna Begum, another resident of Kalai Upazila, experienced a similar plight. Following her husband’s passing, desperation led her to sell her kidney along with her second husband, drawn in by the promise of financial relief. Echoing a common theme among the donors, she expressed regret, citing deception from brokers who raised offers only to deliver a fraction of the expected payment.
The ongoing kidney trafficking epidemic draws attention not only to the vulnerabilities faced by impoverished individuals in Bangladesh but also highlights broader systemic issues within the Indian healthcare system, where demand often outstrips legal organ donations. The stark reality of poverty serves as a catalyst for many, igniting an underground market where the desperate become providers, thus perpetuating a cycle of exploitation.
Authorities in Bangladesh and India have begun to crack down on these illegal operations, but experts argue that more comprehensive measures are required to confront the nuances of the trade. As high-profile arrests of traffickers and medical professionals are made, the need for systemic change and intervention in both nations remains critical.
Both Safiruddin and Josna’s experiences illustrate the heartbreaking consequences of a system where desperation guides choices that have profound, long-lasting effects on families and communities. In the shadows of economic hardship, the loopholes within regulatory frameworks render hope a fragile commodity, highlighting a pressing need for sustained efforts in advocacy, healthcare reform, and community support.
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