That thriving organ ‘black market’

Feb 05, 2017 News

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By Sharmain Grainger

The notion of a ‘black market’ has been around from time immemorial. The use of the term ‘black market’ suggests that something is being sold under very questionable circumstances and is in fact an illegal activity.
Governments across the world have for years sought to halt this often lucrative parallel economy that generates many millions and possibly even billions of dollars annually.
But what can be deemed among the most disturbing of reported ‘black market’ operations is that persons are sometimes trafficked with the intent of having their organs removed and sold for a hefty price.
Just recently I came across a report that suggests that there exists a global need or demand for healthy body parts for transplantation, far exceeding the numbers available. In fact it was revealed that back in 2011 there were thousands of people who were reportedly waiting for a new organ.
Given the fact that every day more people are added to the list of those in need, and that there are many who are so desperate to live they are willing to pay for a new organ, the ‘black market’ for organs has reportedly been thriving.
Yet another report I saw this past week amplified that the ‘black market’ for organs does not discriminate against age. In fact, in its most severe form, there is no regard for human life too. There are reports that suggest that people with healthy organs are even hunted down and killed before their organs are removed and sold to the highest bidder. But I’d rather believe that this is just a plot in a movie and not actual reality.
Whether it is through murderous plots (which people like myself would rather be oblivious to) or simply a business transaction whereby an individual is willing to give his or her organ or organs at a price, there seems to plausible fact that the ‘black market’ trade is still alive and doing well.
This disturbing state of affairs has long been recognised by the United Nations which, in 2007, launched the Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT). According to UN.GIFT, trafficking in organs is a crime that occurs in three broad categories.
Firstly, there are cases where traffickers force or deceive the victims into giving up an organ. Secondly, there are cases where victims formally or informally agree to sell an organ and are cheated, because they are not paid for the organ or are paid less than the promised price. Thirdly, vulnerable persons are treated for an ailment, which may or may not exist, and thereupon organs are removed without the victim’s knowledge.
The vulnerable categories, according to UN.GIFT, often include migrants, especially migrant workers, homeless persons, illiterate persons, among others. UN.GIFT has been able to deduce that “the trafficking for organ trade could occur with persons of any age. Organs which are commonly traded are kidneys, liver and the like; any organ which can be removed and used, could be the subject of such illegal trade.”
UN.GIFT has asserted too that the trafficking in organ trade is an organized crime, involving a host of offenders.
“These include the recruiter who identifies the vulnerable person, the transporter, the staff of the hospital/clinic and other medical centres, the medical professionals, the middlemen and contractors, the buyers, the banks where organs are stored are all involved in the racket.
It is a fact that the entire racket is rarely exposed and therefore, the dimensions are yet to be appropriately fathomed,” UN.GIFT concluded.
As a part of the United Nations, UN.GIFT works with all stakeholders – governments, business, academia, civil society and the media – to support each other’s work, create new partnerships and develop effective tools to fight human trafficking.
The Global Initiative is based on a simple principle: “human trafficking is a crime of such magnitude and atrocity that it cannot be dealt with successfully by any government alone. This global problem requires a global, multi-stakeholder strategy that builds on national efforts throughout the world”.
To pave the way for this strategy, UN.GIFT has recognised that stakeholders must coordinate efforts already underway, increase knowledge and awareness, provide technical assistance; promote effective rights-based responses; build capacity of state and non-state stakeholders; foster partnerships for joint action; and above all, ensure that everybody takes responsibility for this fight.
By encouraging and facilitating cooperation and coordination, UN.GIFT has noted that its aim is to create synergies among the anti-trafficking activities of UN agencies, international organizations and other stakeholders, to develop the most efficient and cost-effective tools and good practices.
Many of us may not see the need for our developing Guyana to even bother to give attention to such an elaborate venture. But Guyana, like the rest of the world, has been recording increasing numbers of persons in need of various organs that can be transplanted. Many of these conditions develop because of complications linked to Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, a challenge that the health sector has been battling to reduce for ages.
Added to this, it has long been suspected that there are some individuals, right here in our country, who have opted to go the ‘black market’ way too. It is believed that at least three individuals embraced the ‘black market’ to procure kidneys to facilitate transplantation here. Reports suggest that at least two of the recipients died shortly after surgery.
The possibly of this being a realistic state of affairs is not at all farfetched, given the fact that the public health sector is currently working on legislation to prevent trafficking in human organs altogether.
Discussions in this regard all happened this past week and the way I heard it, the new Public Health Minister, Ms Volda Lawrence, is determined to have measures in this regard fast-tracked.
‘Kudos’ are in order for Minister Lawrence for taking on such a tall task after a mere month of assuming the portfolio of Public Health Minister.
The proposed legislation is one that will seek to outlaw commercial human organ harvesting, transplant tourism and organ trafficking, all of which have been known to be very attractive on the global ‘black market’.
The Public Health Ministry is gaining support from the University of Calgary in Canada to advance the drafting of the legislation.
Reports are that health officials and representatives of the Attorney General’s Chambers, together with a representative from the University of Calgary, are scheduled for talks to help Guyana develop this legislation that will regulate the Brain and Cardio/Respiratory Death Law, and Organ Transplantation Law.
According to information disseminated by the Public Health Ministry, the former aspect will set the rules which define the precise circumstances and mechanisms under which organs of a deceased person can be donated, while the latter will guarantee donor and recipient safety and prohibit unethical practices such as transplant tourism, commercial organ harvesting sales and organ trafficking for the ‘black market’.
In essence, Guyana is well on its way to giving its support to fight a global war which, according to the World Health Organisation, infringes on human rights and dignity.

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