The head of the Association of Kidney Patients in Iran believes that unemployment is the sole factor behind kidney trade in Iran.
Mostafa Ghassemi, the head of the Association of Kidney Patients stated in an interview with Tehran Newspaper that for every person that needs a kidney implant, 4 people are available to sell their kidneys.
He further stated that people with A+ blood type are even willing to sell their kidneys for less than 6 million toman (equivalent to $3,000 US) and added: Many of the kidney sellers - 90 percent of those who drop in by the center - admit poverty and lack of employment are the main reasons for the trade.
The head of this Association also added that many of those who come to sell their kidneys are from the poorer areas of country outside the capital city Tehran.
To promote kidney trade in Iran, the government has set up a trust fund, where for each kidney sold, the state contributes another $1000 on top of the purchase price to the seller.
Many health experts believe high rate of diabetes and other health problems in Iran result in organ loss such as kidney among the patients.
The experts further agree that such high rate of health problems, such as diabetes, emanates from lack of routine medical attention, inaccessible preventive measures, health coverage deficiencies, and expensive treatments, among other factors, which has exacerbated organ failure and demand across the country.
The practice of selling one's kidney for profit in Iran is legal and regulated by the government. In any given year, it is estimated that 1400 Iranians sell one of their kidneys to a previously unknown recipient.[1] Iran currently is the only country in the world that allows the sale of one's kidney for compensation (typically a payment); consequently, the country does not have either a waiting list or a shortage of available organs.
"The Guardian" tells the story of one Iranian woman, Marzieh, who is selling her kidney to raise money for a dowry for her daughter's wedding:
In order to advertise her kidney, Marzieh has written her blood type and her phone number on pieces of paper and has posted them along the street close to several of Tehran's major hospitals, home to the country's major kidney transplant centres.
Others have done the same. Some have written in big letters or in bright colours to attract attention; some have sprayed their information on the walls of public or even private properties.
"Kidney for sale," reads one ad, carrying the donor's blood type, O+, and a mobile number, with a note emphasising "urgent", insinuating that the donor is prepared to consider discounts. Another similar ad reads: "Attention, attention, a healthy kidney for sale, O+." Many are handwritten, though some have typed the ads to make them look better. "24 years old, kidney for sale," another reads. "Tested healthy." It's not, however, a completely unregulated organ yard sale:
Source: .kurdpa.net & Agencies