In the ‘rust belt’ of northeastern Hungary, a new economy is thriving – one built on human blood. Private companies, some with close ties to the government, have found a way to profit from the desperation of the region's most marginalised population.
Blood plasma donation, similar to blood donation, is voluntary in most countries, but in recent years Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary have followed the US in allowing plasma donors to be paid to compensate them for their efforts. In Hungary’s case, this has had some troubling unintended consequences: Hungarian laws limit payments to HUF 7,500 per donation, the regulations regarding additional incentives are minimal. Many centers attract frequent donors by offering points, bonuses and lottery entries as rewards. In the economically struggling eastern region, where Roma communities are strongly affected, plasma donation has become a certain source of income. Despite the legal limit of two donations per week, the lack of centralized tracking allows individuals to visit multiple centers per week. This lack of regulation not only entails health risks, but also benefits companies connected to the political elite, who profit from the most vulnerable population, the Romas.
