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The Documentary Podcast
Dying for a transplant
The Documentary Podcast
Jul 13, 2025

In 2019, British-Nigerian comedian Emmanuel Sonubi suffered from a near-fatal heart failure whilst on a comedy tour of Dubai. He had a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy, which means his heart was not pumping enough oxygen around his body, and he might need an urgent transplant. In the years since Emmanuel's condition has been controlled through medication but the threat of a heart transplant still looms large – as does the shortage of donors from people of his background where he lives in the UK. Emmanuel examines the cultural attitudes which stop people from taking part in organ donation and transplantation. He also hears from Dr. Beatriz Domínguez-Gil, director general of Organización Nacional de Trasplantes and Lalitha Raghuram, one of the leaders of the MOHAN Foundation, which helps spread awareness of organ donation across India.

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Albania has had many different faces over the last hundred years. Once ruled by the Ottomans, it became a kingdom before turning into a totalitarian communist state after the Second World War. During this time, no one was allowed in or out; all private property became state-owned, and bunkers sprang up across the country. After the fall of the communist regime, Albania descended into chaos. In 1996, a pyramid scheme that three quarters of the population had paid into, collapsed. People lost everything, and the country, especially the south, erupted into violence.

These days, Albania is aiming to shake off its past and transform its reputation from a country marked by corruption to one known for luxury tourism. With its miles of unspoilt beaches, snow capped mountains, and olive groves that could rival anything Greece has to offer, it’s unsurprising that it’s quickly attracting investors. Among them are Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, who are hoping to build a resort on an island off the coast of Vlorë. They have visited the secluded beaches of Zvërnec and Nartë; currently home only to endangered monk seals, sea turtles, and a few sheep. They, like others, hope to benefit from new government incentives to build luxury 5 star plus resorts.

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This episode of The Documentary comes to you from Assignment, investigations and journeys into the heart of global events.


26min 33sec


Dying for a transplant

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