Haridwar Couple Donates 2.5-Day-Old Daughter's Body for Medical Research

The parents of a 2.5-day-old infant girl from Haridwar have decided to donate their daughter's body to Doon Medical College in Dehradun for medical research. This extraordinary gesture is potentially setting a new record, making the baby girl the youngest body donor in India’s history.

Born on December 8 at Doon Medical College and Hospital, the infant girl, later named Saraswati, faced severe breathing difficulties shortly after birth. Despite immediate medical intervention, including placing her in the NICU, her condition worsened. She was diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a form of brain damage caused by inadequate oxygen supply at birth. Unfortunately, the doctors could not save her, and she passed away on December 10.

In their grief, Saraswati's parents, Ram Mehar Kashyap and Nancy, decided to make a profound decision—one that would help others. With guidance from their family doctor, Dr. Jitendra Saini, and support from the Dadhichi Dehdaan Samiti, an NGO focused on promoting body and organ donations, the couple chose to donate their daughter’s body to the medical college for educational purposes. Dr. Saini, who is associated with the Samiti, encouraged them to see the donation as a way to immortalize their daughter’s memory. He explained that while traditional rites might help them grieve and let go, donating Saraswati’s body would keep her spirit alive in a different way—through helping future medical professionals.

Dr. Geeta Jain, Principal of Doon Medical College, confirmed that this selfless act is a pioneering one, being the first body donation in India involving an infant of such a tender age. Dr. Mahendra Narayan Pant, head of the college’s Anatomy Department, described the event as unprecedented. Historically, the college had only accepted body donations from older individuals. The donation of Saraswati’s body marks a significant moment in medical education, with the infant’s body set to be used for the study of human anatomy by medical students.

The parents, who also have a 2.5-year-old daughter named Rudraksh, initially had mixed feelings about the decision. However, after discussing the idea with their family and considering the greater good, they chose to move forward with the donation. Ram Mehar explained that their decision to donate the body wasn’t just about honoring their daughter’s memory but about contributing to a cause that could help many others. Nancy, though heartbroken, shared that donating her daughter’s body gave her a sense of peace, knowing that Saraswati’s brief life would serve a greater purpose. “Donating my daughter's body has been a bittersweet decision. Though I never got to hold her the way I wanted, I know that she'll be helping others, and that gives me peace,” she said.

Dr. Anurag Agarwal, the Medical Superintendent at Doon Hospital, expressed his admiration for the parent's decision, emphasizing that although the girl’s life was tragically short, her donation would have a lasting impact on society. “The couple's extraordinary generosity will significantly advance medical knowledge and research, while also encouraging other families to consider body donation – a crucial aspect of medical education,” Dr. Agarwal stated.

On December 11, Saraswati’s body was donated to the Anatomy Department at Doon Medical College, where it will be preserved and used for the study of infant anatomy. Dr. Pant explained that studying such a young body will offer invaluable insights into infant development and physiology. The infant’s body will also be displayed at the hospital’s museum as a tribute to the selflessness of her parents.

This body donation is part of a broader initiative at Doon Medical College to encourage body donations for medical research, which began in 2016. Since then, the hospital has received donations primarily from older individuals. Dr. Pant noted that Saraswati's donation, at such a young age, stands out as a significant milestone. The hospital recognized the parent’s extraordinary decision by presenting them with a ficus plant, symbolizing the enduring nature of their sacrifice. The plant’s long lifespan serves as a reminder of the strength and resilience the family demonstrated in their time of sorrow.

Krishna Kumar Arora, the treasurer of the Dadhichi Dehdaan Samiti, pointed out that while this is likely the youngest body donation in the country, it surpasses a previous record set by a one-week-old baby whose body was donated at AIIMS in Delhi. He also emphasized how Saraswati’s donation could inspire more families to follow in their footsteps and donate bodies for the benefit of science and medical education.

For Ram Mehar and Nancy, the decision to donate their daughter's body was not easy. Ram Mehar, a machine operator who left school after eighth grade, explained that they were initially hesitant about the donation. However, after being guided by their doctor and considering the potential benefits for medical research, they found the strength to make the decision.

“The decision wasn't easy, but we were driven by a desire to make our daughter's short life count, and to keep her memory alive in a meaningful way,” Ram Mehar said.

The tragic loss of their baby girl has been transformed into a legacy that will continue to contribute to the education of medical professionals. The community and medical professionals alike have recognized the tremendous courage and selflessness demonstrated by this family, whose daughter, Saraswati, will live on in the hearts and minds of future doctors, researchers, and students.

As Dr. Pant said, “Every donation like this helps to spread awareness, and the more families who come forward, the greater the impact on advancing medical science. Body donations are just as vital as organ donations in improving our understanding of the human body and shaping the future of healthcare.”

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)