National Kidney and Transplant Institute Deputy Executive Director for Medical Services Romina A. Danguilan said illegal organ trafficking of human kidneys shows the desperation of some patients looking for a donor as well as middlemen who are trying to take advantage of potential donors.

"Talaga hong nakakalusot, you can see and you can feel the desperation of our dialysis patients, that they don't like this life of dialysis. They want to go back to a more normal life. It's really a problem," she said in a radio interview.

Danguilan said the donation of a kidney should be done freely and not induced through the promise of monetary gain.

"'I'll give you my kidney if you give me a car. Bawal po iyun…Bawal ang may third party like a broker. Middleman at broker pinakabawal. Do not deal with a third party," she said.

"The kidney is a precious organ. Do not sell them. Have respect for yourself," she said.

The NKTI official said donor support such as paying for a donor's PhilHealth premiums is allowed "but it is out of the compassion of the recipient."

She noted NKTI has strict rules on organ donation, with a multidisciplinary team checking the background of the potential donor.

The NKTI currently has 170 patients looking for a donor, with another 150 patients on the waiting list for a deceased donor.