This World

Kidney for Sale (2006x12)

Air date: Oct 31, 2006

This World films inside one of Iran's kidney donor clinics. In Iran, the buying and selling of kidneys is legal and regulated by the state. As a result, the Iranians claim to have eliminated waiting lists for people on dialysis. The only problem is that if you do not have the money for a new kidney then there is no list to get on. There is an official price list, where the state pays donors $1,000 (£531) while the recipient and their family pay $2000 (£1,062). But once donor and recipient are introduced the haggling starts. With the average salary in Iran being around $200 (£106) a month, the stakes are high for both sides. This documentary gives a fascinating insight into ordinary life in Iran through the eyes of two young Iranians who have decided to sell a kidney. Mehrdad lost his job on the railways and now faces mounting debts. He wants to sell a kidney to fund a new job as a taxi driver. And Sohaila, who already works long shifts at night but since her father died six years ago, she has had to support two younger sisters. Her wage alone is just not enough.