More people donate bodies for research

Last year,the department received eight bodies. Between 2004 and 2008,the total number of bodies did not exceed 10.

According to figures obtained from the department,between 1996 and 2004,there were years when only one body would be donated. And there were years — 1998,2001 and 2002 — which drew a blank.

But all this is changing.

The department,which had only four cadavers till 2000,has around 34 bodies now. These have been embalmed for research and education purposes.

In a span of 10 days last month,the department received 10 bodies.

Officials say increasing awareness and endorsement by well-known families has helped the cause.

“Over the last few years,awareness levels have gone up and people have begun to realise the importance of dead bodies for research purposes,” a senior faculty member at the department said. “We have a helpline number,which has contributed in clearing myths attached with donations.”

Also,a number of people,including those in their twenties and thirties,have pledged their bodies for medical research.

“The pledges have touched 550,” an official at the hospital said. Earlier,the number pledges hovered between 250 and 300.

But in case of cadavers,faculty members say,more is less.

“We will continue to require bodies for research. We can never say we have enough bodies,” a faculty member said. “But if we have more bodies,the existing one’s will not be overused and research can be better.”