Donor Memorial

• Six-day-old  neonate

  On January 11, 2025, at 11:30 AM, Mr. Anil Kakkar, a sevadar from Mukti Dham Seva Samiti in Rishikesh, received a call from Mr. Manoj Lal, the father of a deceased six-day-old neonate. Mr. Lal informed him of his son's death at AIIMS Rishikesh and requested assistance with cremation arrangements. Mr. Kakkar explained that neonates are not typically cremated, but are either buried or immersed in the sacred River Ganga. However, the family declined both options, expressing their concern about polluting the river.
  
  Mr. Kakkar then suggested an alternative: donating the neonate's whole body to AIIMS Rishikesh for research purposes. The family asked for time to discuss the matter and consult the child's mother, Ms. Vinita Devi. After further deliberation, the family verbally consented to the donation. .
  
  To facilitate the donation process, Mr. Kakkar informed Mr. Gopal Narang, the Charter President of Lions Club Rishikesh Devbhoomi, who subsequently contacted Mr. Sanchit Arora, Project Leader at MOHAN Foundation, stationed at AIIMS Rishikesh. Mr. Arora met with the family to gather details and consulted with the senior nursing officer of the Paediatrics Department at AIIMS Rishikesh to obtain the deceased's medical history. .
  
  The baby boy, born to Ms. Vinita Devi on January 6, 2025, at 2:30 PM at Civil Hospital in Adhni, Uttarkashi, had been diagnosed with Tracheo-esophageal Fistula (Type-C), a congenital anomaly. On January 8, 2025, the neonate underwent corrective surgery and was kept on ventilation post-operatively. Despite all efforts, on January 11, 2025, at 10:25 AM, the baby suffered sudden cardiac arrest. CPR was administered for 20 minutes, along with three doses of adrenaline, but the neonate could not be revived and was declared dead at 11:00 AM. .
  
  Upon learning of the case, Mr. Arora counselled the grieving family. He explained that, in neonate cases, whole-body donation was the only viable option, as their corneas are not fully developed. Following detailed counselling, the family agreed to donate their child's body for medical research and education. .
  
  Mr. Arora then contacted Dr. Mukesh Singla, Head of the Department of Anatomy at AIIMS Rishikesh, to discuss the donation. While Dr. Singla initially approved, he later declined upon learning that the neonate had undergone surgery. .
  
  Subsequently, Mr. Narang reached out to Dr. R.K. Rohatgi, Head of the Department of Anatomy at Graphic Era Hospital and Institute of Medical Sciences in Dehradun. Dr. Rohatgi personally spoke with the family, addressed their concerns, and confirmed their consent for the donation. .
  
  To ensure a smooth process, Mr. Arora travelled to Graphic Era Hospital & Institute of Medical Sciences in Dehradun to assist the family with the required documentation and formalities. Despite their profound grief, Mr. Manoj Lal and Ms. Vinita Devi displayed extraordinary courage and selflessness by choosing to donate their child's body for the advancement of medical science. .
  
  The family was assured that their child's body would be preserved in the Anatomy Department of Graphic Era Hospital & Institute of Medical Sciences to aid in the education of future doctors. .
  
  The team from Graphic Era Hospital & Institute of Medical Sciences, MOHAN Foundation, and Lions Club Rishikesh Devbhoomi expressed their gratitude to the family by presenting them with a certificate acknowledging their selfless and noble decision. .
  
  This act of generosity, amidst immense grief, exemplifies the family's commitment to humanity and the advancement of medical education. .
  
  Media Coverage: https://www.amarujala.com/uttarakhand/rishikesh/donation-of-body-of-a-newborn-after-death-for-the-education-rishikesh-news-c-5-1-drn1046-592981-2025-01-13 .
  
  https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!state/uttarkashi-parents-donate-newborn-child-body-after-death-in-aiims-rishikesh-enn25011203983.
  
  https://devbhumijknews.com/?p=10591