The economic crisis brought on by Myanmar’s civil war has spiralled into a humanitarian catastrophe, plunging millions into hunger, desperation - and even the sale of human organs. As poverty deepens, an increasing number of people in Myanmar are resorting to selling their kidneys in a desperate attempt to escape crushing debt and survive. Many of these individuals travel to neighbouring countries, such as India, to undergo the procedures, finding it the only quick-fix solution left to them in the face of such bleak circumstances. These unethical transplants are facilitated by agents and intermediaries who use falsified documents to get around laws in nations like India and Myanmar, where the selling of organs is prohibited.

With economic collapse, political instability, and civil conflict tearing the country apart, desperation has reached a point where some turn to Social Media Apps to advertise the sale of their organs.

For those involved, the kidney trade can seem like a lifeline, offering temporary relief from poverty. However, there are serious exploitation concerns underlying this unsettling development. The situation raises urgent questions about the ethical consequences of such transactions and the need for stronger legal frameworks and support systems to protect those at risk from exploitation.