Date:06/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/06/stories/2008100659000400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Cadaver donation for a cause

Staff Reporter

--Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

Noble deed: A.S. Ravi Sekhar donating his father’s body to the Gandhi Medical College in Hyderabad on Sunday.

HYDERABAD: With lot of sanctity attached to proper burial or cremation of the dead with all the last rites performed, donation of bodies to medical colleges for academic purposes remains tardy.

However, family members of 75 year old A. L. Prasada Rao, who passed away in the wee hours of Sunday morning, respected his last wishes and donated his body to Gandhi Medical College so that it would be of use to medical students here.

“He had undergone a bypass surgery at Care Hopital on September 30 and reminded us that if he didn’t make it his body should be donated to a medical college. He kept on reminding me even after the surgery was done with,” said A.S. Ravi Sekhar, Mr. Rao’s son. “We have also donated his eyes to L.V. Prasad Eye Hospital as per his wishes,” he added. Gandhi hospital doctors said awareness among people about bodies’ donation useful to teach students basics of anatomy is poor. “We get about 10 bodies a year. ,” said Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Gandhi Medical College, Dr. M. Yesender.Prasada Rao, retired as headmaster of Maharaja’s Model High School, Vizianagaram and later served president of Vijaya Bhavana, a literary organisation.

He dedicated his life to English teaching and won UNO award for three consecutive years from the State. He is survived by wife and son.