We administer a body donation programme for Medical Education. This programme dedicated to provide for the needs of the ever-growing educational and research areas of medical science started about 12 years ago.
The Department of Anatomy is committed to improving the quality of life through teaching from its research base and cutting edge biomedical research. During these times of accelerated medical learning, when medical dreams are becoming reality, more anatomical material is needed to meet the demands of medical education and research. The three-dimensional intricacies of the human body cannot be fully duplicated through the use of plastic models, in books, on slides or by computers. The only medium for thorough study and research of the human being is the body itself. Therefore your anatomic gift of donating your body will help train present and future doctors and other health care professionals, and provide access to vital anatomic material needed by scientists pursuing remedies for a wide range of human diseases.
The generosity of body donors adds immeasurably to our quality of life. Those who will their bodies to science are giving their mortal substance to contribute to the health and well being of generations to come. Their body donations help in increasing knowledge which ultimately improves the quality of life of all people. Therefore they extend their own usefulness far beyond the grave.
PROCEDURE FOR BODY DONATION
Visit the Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences and have a discussion with Prof Chrissie S Abaidoo and fill out three copies of the authorization forms provided by the Department of Anatomy at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, School of Medical Sciences. One copy of the form should be returned to the Department of Anatomy, one should be kept with the donor's personal papers and one presented to the donor’s lawyer.
A wallet card will be mailed to you upon receipt of a statutory declaration and /or a letter from the donor’s lawyer. As soon as you receive the wallet card, sign it and carry it with you in case of accidental death.
In order to donate your body to medical science an attorney/donor’s lawyer MUST be notified. A statutory declaration must be made and your wish to donate your body can also be included in your will.
It is important that you INFORM YOUR FAMILY OF YOUR PLANS.
By law an individual has the legal authority to bequeath his or her body to teaching and medical research if they are over 18 years of age. However the laws of this country prohibit payment for body donations. Also, when a husband or wife dies, the surviving spouse can donate the body.
By law, the wishes of potential donors take precedence over those of their next-of-kin. However, in practice, the next-of-kin can prevent body donation if they oppose it. Therefore, it is important that the next-of-kin understands and agrees with the donor's wishes.
Upon your death, your physician or the next-of-kin should notify the Department of Anatomy at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, School of Medical Sciences where we will arrange to pick up the body. Alternatively, your survivors should deposit your body at the mortuary and make your wishes known to the mortuary staff. They can then contact the Department of Anatomy and work out the arrangements with them.
You can donate your body and still have a funeral. However, if the donor or the family wants a funeral, they must be responsible for the expenses involved.
After the medical studies are completed, at no expense to the family, the body is buried and/or, in accordance with the donor's wishes, the body may be used for examinations and kept in the Anatomy Department ‘‘forever’’ or the bones may be threaded and used for teaching. To honour the Donor’s Gift, a memorial service is held annually. All are invited to attend. The service includes speakers, music, congregational sharing and refreshments. The service is attended by the families and friends of donors as well as faculty, staff, students, and others with an interest.
It is important to note that the Department of Anatomy does not accept all bodies. Some circumstances, such as, major recent surgery, traumatic accident, autopsy, ascites, oedema, obesity, contagious disease, may render the body tissues unsuitable for study. The Department of Anatomy should still be notified at the time of death, as the severity of the condition will be a factor in determining whether the body can be accepted.
The names of Body Donors will be placed on the Wall of Honour in the Anatomy building designated as the ‘‘Celebration of Life Monument’’. This is to honour all those who give anatomical gifts to the Department. The Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, is the only place in the sub region where donors are so honoured.
Thank you for considering the bequest of your remains to the Body Donor Programme. We hope this information on the Body Donor Programme will assist you in making your decision.
If you have further questions about body donation please call, email or write to:
Prof Chrissie S. Abaidoo
Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,
Kumasi, Ghana
Phone (8:00-19:00 00-233-3220-62189/62190
Phone (After hours, weekends, and holidays): 00-233-20-812-6817/00-233-244-549-302
Fax 00-233-3220-62932
e-mail: chrissiestansieabaidoo@yahoo.co.uk
Please click the link below to download the body donation form.