Myanmar’s Inevitable Kidney Trade

Close up shot of a Scar, by Caboompics, via PEXELS, 2021/April 10.

The illegal sale of kidneys in Myanmar has surged as extreme poverty and political turmoil push desperate individuals to risk their health and lives for financial survival. Organ trafficking networks, often facilitated by corrupt officials and social media recruitment, exploit vulnerable citizens, violating fundamental human rights and international trafficking laws. Without urgent intervention, Myanmar’s worsening economic crisis will continue fueling this illicit trade, further entrenching human rights abuses.

Myanmar is facing a growing humanitarian crisis as desperate individuals turn to the illegal sale of kidneys to survive. Driven by extreme poverty, debt, and the country’s economic collapse following the 2021 military coup, organ trafficking has surged. This illicit trade not only exposes Myanmar’s worsening socio-economic conditions but also constitutes a grave human rights violation, as vulnerable individuals are exploited and left without adequate medical care.

Since the military seized power in 2021, Myanmar’s economy has been in freefall. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that nearly half of the country’s population now lives below the poverty line, compared to 24.8 percent in 2017. The loss of jobs, devaluation of the kyat, and increasing violence have pushed thousands into financial ruin. Many citizens are left with few options to repay debts, with some turning to the black market to sell their organs as a last resort.

Reports indicate that brokers actively seek out impoverished individuals, offering between $3,000 and $10,000 per kidney. These amounts may seem life-changing but barely cover debts or medical expenses. Additionally, many sellers are deceived, receiving much less than promised while facing long-term health complications due to unsafe surgical conditions.

The illegal kidney trade in Myanmar highlights severe breaches of fundamental human rights. Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) guarantees the right to life, liberty, and security, yet desperate individuals are forced into exploitative organ sales to escape poverty. Article 25 further asserts the right to adequate healthcare, which is disregarded as many sellers receive no post-operative care, leading to infections, chronic pain, and even death.

Human trafficking laws, such as the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (Palermo Protocol), prohibit organ trafficking. However, Myanmar’s weak enforcement mechanisms allow these violations to continue unchecked. Corrupt officials and border control weaknesses enable traffickers to smuggle victims to neighbouring countries like India and Thailand, where illegal transplants occur in unregulated clinics or complicit hospitals.

Disturbingly, reputable medical institutions have been linked to this illicit trade. Investigations have revealed that traffickers transport Myanmar nationals to hospitals in India for illegal transplants, sometimes using forged documents. Allegations have surfaced against private hospitals where wealthy patients receive kidneys from desperate donors, raising ethical concerns about medical complicity in human rights abuses.

Social media platforms are increasingly being used by traffickers to recruit vulnerable individuals. Ads promising quick money in exchange for kidneys are widespread, targeting those in dire financial need. Many victims are unaware of the legal and health risks involved, believing they can safely sell an organ without long-term consequences. The lack of stringent digital oversight further enables these trafficking networks to operate freely.

Sources and further reading:

BBC Burmese (2024, March 2). Myanmar’s Desperate Poor Turning to Kidney Sales. Retrieved on February 28th, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgy8p3pe71o. 

Teele, R., Nanda Kyawl, S., (2024, August 30). Myanmar’s Economic Crisis Fuels Organ Trade. Retrieved on February 28th, 2025, from https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/30/asia/myanmar-organ-selling-coup-poverty-intl-hnk/index.html. 

Lovett et al. (2023, December 3). Private Hospitals in India Linked to Myanmar Kidney Trade. Retrieved on February 28th, 2025, from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/kidney-organ-trafficking-scandal-private-healthcare-india-myanmar/.

UNDP. (2023). Middle Class Disappearing and Poverty Deepening in Myanmar. Retrieved on February 28th, 2025, from https://www.undp.org/press-releases/middle-class-disappearing-and-poverty-deepening-myanmar. 

UNODC. (2024, June). Understanding Human Trafficking for Organ Removal. Retrieved on February 28th, 2025, from https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2024/June/explainer_-understanding-human-trafficking-for-organ-removal.html.