Thai Red Cross Slams Joke About Selling Kidney for iPhone 14


Advertisements
 

Jokes are meant to make people laugh by poking fun at certain topics or situations but one should know not to cross the lines.

However, a viral post showing three people holding onto their new iPhone 14s with bandages filled with blood on the stomach that was meant as a joke has apparently caused an uproar among Thai nationals after the image was heavily circulated in Thailand.

To some, the photo implies that the three people in the photo sold their kidneys to purchase the new iPhones. Hence, the uproar.

The post has since been taken down.

Photo Originated from Laos

Although it is said that the photo originated from Laos, it has spread in popularity in Thailand, where the photo is taken on a more serious note.

One person in particular, Sophon Mekthon, the managing director of the Organ Donation Centre under the Thai Red Cross Society, slams the joke as being inappropriate and unethical.

Organ Trading is Not Legal

Like most countries in the world, Mekthon mentions that using your organs to trade for other possessions such as money is illegal.

He further adds that transplantation of organs can only be done between family members.

May Face Impairments Due to Losing Kidney

People with a single kidney can survive and live a normal life.

However, they have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, fluid retention, and proteinuria. This is because the other kidney should compensate and make up for the kidney that has lost some function.

With no backup, the one kidney alone would not be able to do all the jobs.

Encourages People to Become Organ Donors

After condemning the post, Mekthon carries on to inform people about the organ donations and encourages them to donate their organs after their deaths.

Usually, organs will still be “alive” after a person’s death, hence doctors can use the organs of the deceased to transplant it into another patient who really needs it.

Here is a little list of how long certain vital organs can be left outside of a body before it expires:

  • Heart: 4-6 hours
  • Lungs: 4-8 hours
  • Liver: 8-12 hours
  • Pancreas 12-18 hours
  • Intestines 8-12 hours
  • Kidneys 24-36 hours

Currently, around 2 million people have signed up to be organ donors in Thailand.

Read Also: 

Featured Image: Twitter (@zimcousin) & Apple


Advertisements