The norms to register for cadaver donation have been made simpler and any person wishing to pledge his or her body for medical research can do so in absentia , through postal correspondence with the department concerned.
Donors staying away from Mysuru can sign up without being present at the Department of Anatomy, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMCRI), which is authorised to accept registrations for cadaver donation.
At the MMCRI, one of the oldest medical institutions in the country, cadavers are pledged for anatomical studies irrespective of the donors’ age.
Forms posted to donors
“Some donors express their difficulty to visit us for registrations. For them, we post the prescribed application forms to their correspondence address and register them on receiving the completed forms (along with a photograph). The certificate of appreciation will be sent to their address after registration,” explains K.R. Drakshayini, Head, Department of Anatomy, MMCRI, Mysuru.
She told The Hindu that the department adopted this practice after people from places such as Madikeri sought to register for the body donation without visiting the department.
“This has worked and registrations have gone up,” she said.
Under the guidelines of the Medical Council of India (MCI), a maximum of 25 medical students can conduct anatomical studies on a body.
Student intake
The intake of students at MMCRI for MBBS course is 150. Postgraduate and paramedical students also need cadavers for studies. “All put together, we need at least eight bodies per year for medical studies,” she explained.
Unclaimed bodies are also sent for studies from the Forensic Department. Moreover, cadavers were also accepted from unregistered donors if their family members or relatives fulfil the standard procedures.
Each embalmed cadaver can be kept for as long as five years. But, they are mostly used for studies within two years, Dr. Drakshayini said.
Apart from persons from urban areas, even those from rural backgrounds had pledged their bodies. This is perhaps due to awareness raised by registered donors, who talk about the practice among their relatives, friends and colleagues, according to her.
In response to a query, Dr. Drakshayini said, “By and large, we receive bodies of registered donors. Some 3 percent of pledges don’t get realised for various reasons.”
For details on body donation, call the MMCRI at 0821-2520512.
Procedure to donate
1. A death certificate from a qualified doctor confirming that the person had died due to natural reasons
2. A no objection certificate (NoC) from the family members or relatives
3. Unregistered cadavers are accepted provided the standard procedures are discharged
