Date:06/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/06/stories/2008100659350500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Body donated to medical college

Staff Reporter

Hyderabad: With a lot of sanctity attached to proper burial or cremation of the dead with all the last rites performed, donation of the dead 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 will be of use to medical students here.

“He had undergone a bypass surgery at Care hospital 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. “We get about 10 bodies a year. Anatomy is the main foundation for medicine and surgery. It is important for future doctors to have full knowledge of the human body,” said Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Gandhi Medical College, Dr. M. Yesender. He retired as headmaster of Maharaja’s Model High School, Vizianagaram. He is survived by wife and a son.