We Don’t Buy Kidneys, KNH to Kenyans

The Kenyatta National Hospital on Monday disclosed that it has been receiving unlimited queries from Kenyans who want to sell out their kidneys. The hospital clarified that organs can only be donated out of a free will, warning that legal actions may be taken on someone found selling out their body organs.

‘How much for my kidney?’ is our most in-boxed question. Please note that organ sale is strictly prohibited and illegal. You can only donate out of free will,” the hospital said on its official Twitter account.

Even though organ trade is one of the most lucrative businesses to venture into, it has for years been termed illegal in many counties worldwide. It is however legal in Iran which is the only nation in the world that allows organs to be bought and sold for money.

In Iran’s legal markets, the price of a kidney ranges from $2,000 (235,000 shillings) to $4,000(470,000 shillings). On the black market, the same kidney can be worth over $160,000 (Ksh18.8 million) with most of the proceeds taken up by middlemen.

This trade was first declared illegal in 1987 by the World Health Organization (WHO) over claims that it violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

WHO also noted that the trade would take unfair advantage of the poorest and most vulnerable groups, resulting to profiteering and human trafficking?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), illegal organ trade occurs when organs are removed from the body for the purpose of commercial transactions.

Despite ordinances against organ sales, this practice persists, with studies estimating that anywhere from 5 to 42 percent of transplanted organs are illicitly bought.

Research shows that illegal organ trade is on the rise, with a recent report by Global Financial Integrity estimating that the illegal organ trade generates profits between $600 million and $1.2 billion per year, in countries such as China, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, Colombia, United States, United Kingdom, among others.

Criminal activities such as child and teenager kidnapping are conducted where the kids are murdered, and their organs harvested for sale.

Medical experts warn that selling out body organs or donating out of free will may expose one to some health risks. It may cause mental health issues, such as symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Studies show that the life expectancy of those who have donated a kidney is the same as that of similarly matched people who haven’t. However, living kidney donors may have a slightly higher risk of kidney failure in the future.

Other long-term complications associated with living-kidney donation include high blood pressure, elevated protein levels in urine and reduced kidney function.