Hyderabad: The final acts of two elderly women, who had no prior connection with medicine, have left the medical fraternity overwhelmed and inspired. The two women, 92-year-old E. Venkata Ratnamma and 78-year-old V. Hymavathi, belonged to the same family and passed away within a week of each other. Both had decided to donate their bodies to the anatomy department of the Osmania Medical College (OMC).
In her will written in 2011, Ratnamma expressed her wish to donate her body for academic study and research. She passed away on November 5 due to age-related causes. Inspired by the reception given to Ratnamma's body at OMC during her memorial service, Hymavathi, her son's mother-in-law, decided to follow suit.
Hymavathi's passing was unexpected for the family. She had been suffering from lung disease and was dependent on an oxygen concentrator. Her body was handed over to the OMC, where students and faculty gathered to pay their respects.
This act of selflessness by two senior women has left a lasting impact on the medical community. "This is an inspiration for us as today at the memorial ceremony, even more pledges and enquiries were made about body donations," said Dr N. Vani, director of medical education and a member of the family.
