In Nepal, a group of men have been fooled into selling their kidneys after being given false hope. The village of Hokse, now called 'Kidney Valley', shows the desperate situation faced by these men.
The desperate circumstances of these men, coupled with the deceitful promises made by organ traffickers, have led to a tragic situation that has come to light recently.
The village of Hokse, located in Nepal, has gained notoriety as 'Kidney Valley' due to the alarming number of kidney sales occurring there.
Almost every household has been affected by this crisis, highlighting the extent of the problem.
Poverty has reached alarming levels in Nepal, and the scarcity of financial resources has left its residents vulnerable to exploitation.
Sky News conducted interviews with two men from Hokse, Kanchha, and Ram, both in their 40s, who shared their harrowing experiences.
Men are tricked by organ traffickers into selling kidneys and told their organs would regrow
Motivated by financial desperation, Kanchha made the difficult decision to undergo kidney surgery in hopes of improving his dire circumstances.
However, instead of the promised relief, he finds himself trapped in a world of excruciating pain, which has left him unable to work and support himself.
When questioned about the scale of the deceit, Kanchha highlighted the difficulty in determining exactly how many people have been affected by this scam, emphasizing that it is not limited to just one village.
Brokers have been preying on the villagers of Hokse for years, persuading them to part with their organs.
Despite the illegality of such transactions, the dire financial circumstances faced by the villagers have forced them into making these life-altering decisions.
Tragically, some individuals were fooled into believing that their kidneys would regrow after donation, a promise that proved to be false and devastating.
The consequences of these illicit practices have had far-reaching effects, including the loss of lives.
Widespread organ trafficking and changing patterns of kidney failure
Shockingly, estimates suggest that one in ten transplanted organs worldwide is a product of human trafficking.
Kanchha, who sold his kidney in India, revealed that the agents involved forged documents, including fake Indian ID cards.
He suspects that the doctor who performed the transplant was aware of the illegal nature of the organ procurement.
What makes this situation even more alarming is the changing demographic of kidney failure sufferers.
Growing kidney problems in different age groups and impact on migrant workers' health
Dr. Pukar Shresth, a surgeon at the Human Organ Transplant Center in Nepal, revealed that the prevalence of kidney issues now extends beyond older individuals.
A significant portion of those requiring transplants are young migrant workers who have returned to Nepal after working abroad.
These patients have placed a substantial burden on healthcare resources, accounting for over 30% of the total transplant cases in the country.
Many times, the symptoms of kidney failure remain unnoticed, and sadly, by the time migrant workers return to Nepal, it is often too late to address the issue effectively.
