In the remote village of Hokse in Nepal, some residents have fallen victim to kidney trafficking, lured by the false belief that their kidneys would grow back after being sold.
Hokse has become popular as the “Kidney Valley” or the “village of single kidneys” due to the prevalence of kidney sales, with nearly every household having someone who has sold a kidney.
The illicit trade in kidneys involves brokers who deceive and exploit individuals, often from poor backgrounds, into undergoing the procedure without fully understanding its consequences.
Locals in Hokse recount feeling deceived and manipulated, with many claiming they were promised that their kidneys would regrow after being sold. Some have even lost their lives due to the process.
Speaking to SkyNews, Kanchha and Ram, both in their 40s, shared their stories of financial desperation driving them to sell a kidney. Kanchha, still suffering from pain and unable to work due to the surgery’s aftermath, revealed the extent of the village’s state.
The situation in Hokse has reached a critical point, with an increasing number of young migrant men returning with kidney failure, involving urgent transplantations.
Experts attribute this alarming trend to the harsh working conditions abroad, including extreme heat and dehydration, faced by many Nepalese migrant workers.
Suman, 31, shared his sad experience of selling a kidney in India after reaching a breaking point financially and emotionally. He now warns others against making the same mistake.
Kachan, another victim of kidney trafficking, exposed the falsified documents and the complicity of doctors in the process, highlighting the systemic nature of the trafficking ring.
Dr. Pukar Shresth, a renowned surgeon, emphasised the strain on Nepal’s healthcare system due to the high number of transplant cases involving migrant workers, underscoring the urgent need for intervention and awareness.