Women making eggs-tra money selling their ovum

WOMEN, including those still in college, are selling their ovum – or eggs – to hospitals in the Klang Valley for between RM3,000 and RM8,000, reported Nanyang Siang Pau.

Some of the donors claimed they needed the money to buy branded bags or smartphones while others wanted to pay off their debts or further their studies.

One of the donors, a 22-year-old, told the daily she was paid RM3,000 for her eggs although the middleman had initially promised her RM4,500.

The middleman claimed that her payment was deducted for some medication that she had to take due to health reasons.

A reporter, who went undercover as a donor, said she was asked to fast the night before going for a medical check-up at a fertility centre.

The middleman, whom the reporter got in touch with, also requested she put on makeup as the potential client had asked for “pleas- ant looking” donors.

Her boyfriend was not allowed to accompany her during the check-up and she was told that she would be required to pay RM250 for the check-up should she change her mind.

A lawyer said while it is not illegal to donate eggs, it is illegal to accept payment for it.

> Sin Chew Daily reported that about 100 volunteers turned up on Sunday to help an old folks home in Penang relocate.

They had come forward after learning on social media that Tan Swee Ban, who was in charge of the Peace and Harmony Home, needed help to move.

It took them less than three hours to move all the belongings, including furniture and electrical items, as well as to send the elderly folk to the new premises in Jalan Thomas.

Tan said there were now 21 senior citizens, aged between 59 and 84, staying at the home; adding that more were expected to move in before October.