Cadaver of social worker donated

SAMBALPUR: Family members of social worker Gopal Samal of Burla have handed over his body to VSS Medical College and Hospital for medical studies, after he died on Sunday. He was 90.
The family members said they did so as it was his last wish, which he mentioned in an affidavit four years back. He also donated his eyes. The eye department of VSS collected his cornea.
"He worked for the society when he was alive and he left his eyes and body for others after his death. Such a benevolent person is rare in the society. We expect his gesture would definitely encourage others to follow in his footsteps," said campaigner and president of Tyaga, a voluntary blood donor agency, Durga Prasad Padhi.
According to him, Samal had been associated with the organization since a long and involved in various social and cultural activities, including blood donation.
"In July 2010, he had prepared an affidavit where he desired to donate his body for the study of VSS students," said his son Satyabrat Samal. Samal Senior leaves behind three sons and two daughters.
The HoD of anatomy department of VSS B K Dutta said scarcity of cadavers is a major problem in various medical colleges. "With enactment of a law in 2013 and awareness drives by various NGOs people are now coming forward to pledge their bodies and organs. We have already received 38 consents from various people," Dutta said.
According to him, anatomy is a basic requirement of medical science and without a human body it is difficult to learn the nitty-gritty.