Severe poverty is reportedly forcing some women in Afghanistan’s western Herat province to consider selling their kidneys to support their families, highlighting the growing desperation faced by vulnerable communities.
According to findings reported by Amu TV, kidney transactions are allegedly taking place discreetly at some private clinics in Herat. The reported practice has raised serious concerns over the impact of poverty and economic hardship on women and families struggling to meet their basic needs.
Afghanistan has faced a prolonged humanitarian and economic crisis since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. High unemployment, declining household incomes and limited access to stable livelihoods have left many families struggling to afford food, healthcare and other essential expenses.
The reported kidney sales illustrate the extreme measures some individuals may be willing to consider when conventional sources of income are unavailable. Medical and human rights concerns are also associated with organ sales, particularly when financially vulnerable people may feel pressured to undergo potentially dangerous procedures.
Details about the number of women involved, the clinics allegedly facilitating the transactions and the individuals receiving the organs remain unclear. The reports have not been independently verified, and further investigation would be needed to establish the full scale of the practice.
The situation in Herat underscores broader concerns about poverty, access to healthcare and the lack of economic opportunities available to vulnerable Afghans, particularly women.