Are human organs being sold among health workers? House probes issue
Are kidneys and other human organs being sold among health workers?
That's the issue that a lawmaker in the House of Representatives wants to investigate after three individuals were reportedly caught in the illegal racket.
Rep. Wilbert Lee filed House Resolution 1803 urging both concerned House committees in the lower legislative chamber as well as authorities to crack down on the illegal sale of kidneys and other internal organs in the country.
The move comes after three individuals in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan were put behind bars by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for allegedly being involved in an organ trafficking syndicate.
The suspects pointed fingers at National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) staff nurse Allan Ligaya as the one allegedly leading the illegal organ trade. Ligaya is currently at large, but three doctors have already been summoned by the NBI for participating in the blood matching of donors.
In filing the resolution, Lee underscored that "many kidney donors, particularly those from vulnerable communities such as slums, are often unaware of the risks and side effects of the operation."
"They have been taking advantage of the vulnerability of our fellow kababayan with this modus operandi for quite some time now. Especially those who don’t have money, and those desperate to have some money to help their families cope with their daily needs," he said.
He added, "And what is really bothersome here is that even doctors and nurses, whom we trust the most with illnesses like these, are allegedly involved in this illegal racket. They have allegedly been enticing our kababayans to do this."
As of writing, there are reportedly nine victims who claimed they were lured by the perpetrators to give their kidneys in exchange for a P200,000 payment.
They were held in a house and were subjected to various processes before their kidneys were eventually transferred. (with reports from Delon Porcalla)