Brokers in Bangladesh and India are targeting impoverished villagers—some reduced to just one kidney—by manipulating legal loopholes to exploit them in an expanding, cross-border organ trafficking operation.
At a Glance
- Residents of Baiguni village have reportedly sold kidneys, earning as little as ৳3,50,000 ($2,900) each.
- Brokers exploit fraudulent ID, DNA, and medical records to bypass transplant laws.
- By law, Indian organ donations must occur only between relatives or with special approvals.
- Donors experience serious health consequences and often never meet recipients.
- The illicit network profits from high demand in India’s transplant market.
Poverty Meets Organized Crime
In Baiguni, Kalai Upazila, Bangladesh—infamously called the “village of one kidney”—residents are being recruited by traffickers promising quick cash. Brokers forge documentation to get around India’s transplant regulations, which require donors to be relatives or government-approved. Villagers like Safiruddin received just ৳3,50,000 (around $2,900) for a kidney—without knowing the recipient’s identity or destination.
Illicit Pipeline Fueled by High Demand
India’s burgeoning transplant market and donor shortages have turned it into a global hotspot for organ trafficking operations. Brokers ferry villagers across borders and submit fake kinship records to Indian hospitals, enabling illicit transplants for fees ranging from $20,000 to $80,000. Meanwhile, the original donors suffer lifelong medical issues and are left with little compensation.
Legal Gaps and Human Toll
Though the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act prohibits commercial organ trade in India, brokers exploit weak enforcement and corrupt networks. Villagers are often misled about medical risks, with many reporting chronic health deterioration, reduced earning ability, and zero follow-up care. Human rights activists are calling for urgent reforms and cross-border regulatory collaboration to shut down this exploitative trade.
What Comes Next
As pressure mounts on both governments, experts urge legal overhauls, strict hospital audits, and public awareness to curb trafficking routes. Until systemic change arrives, the trade in body parts will continue draining the poorest communities—one kidney at a time.
