Papel, Gunting, Bato: Ang Bato-Bato Pik ng Tondo (A Social Network Analysis on Commercialization of Kidneys in BASECO, Tondo)

Abstract

Advancement in technology in the field of medicine brought unimaginable innovations for curing diseases. Medical experts are continuously researching in order to prolong or preserve life. With advanced technology, organ transplantation was made possible, a treatment where an organ from one being is implanted to another. End Stage Renal Disease (ERSD), a stage wherein kidney function has deteriorated beyond recovery, is one of the diseases that can now be cured with the help of kidney transplantation. However, kidney transplantation is very expensive, and more importantly, kidneys are a scarce resource. It is very difficult to find a kidney donor so many patients, both able and not able to pay the price of transplantation, die while waiting. With the problem at hand, a new business has emerged - kidney commercialization. This study entitled PAPEL, GLINTING, BATO: Ang Bato-Bato Pik ng Tondo (A Social Network Analysis on Commercialization of Kidneys in BASECO, Tondo) investigates how for-profit kidney donations works. It explores how the key players of this business - kidney patients, for-profit organ donors, brokers, doctors, medical facilities and the government - are connected and how each one contribute to the prevalence of the commercialization of kidneys in the country. More importantly, it also surveys the reasons why the BASECO residents engage in this kind of activity, it then looks as poverty as one of the main causes of the growing number of for-profit organ donors. Finally, it proposes several solutions to lessen or eradicate this for-profit activity. This study shows it is necessary to address this problem before our country becomes the top 'organ reservoir’ of the world. Lastly, it presumes that as long as there are patients who are willing to pay, and there are donors who are willing to sell, organ trade will not be curbed.