A deeply moving example of humanity emerged at AIIMS Rishikesh, where the parents of an eight-day-old infant chose to donate their child’s body for medical education after her death. Despite overwhelming grief, the family decided that their loss should contribute to saving lives and educating future doctors.
The infant was born on January 2 to Hansi Devi, wife of Sandeep Ram, a resident of Chamoli, at Medical College Srinagar. Doctors diagnosed the newborn with a serious condition marked by the absence of nerve ganglia in the intestines. Following a referral, the child was admitted to AIIMS Rishikesh on January 4, where surgery was performed. However, despite medical efforts, the infant succumbed to refractory septic shock on Sunday.
After the child’s death, the nursing staff at AIIMS connected the family with Sanchit Arora, Project Leader of Mohan Foundation Uttarakhand. Arora, along with eye donation activist and Lions Club Rishikesh Devbhoomi Charter President Gopal Narang, met the grieving parents and explained the process and significance of body donation.
With the family’s consent, Arora coordinated with the Anatomy Department of AIIMS Rishikesh and completed all formalities. The infant’s body was formally handed over for academic and research purposes. Arora has earlier facilitated two body donations as well.
AIIMS Rishikesh PRO Dr Shriloy Mohanty confirmed that the eight-day-old infant passed away during treatment and that the family donated the body for medical education.
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Expressing his emotions, the infant’s father Sandeep Ram said the child had a severe intestinal disorder since birth and could not be saved despite all efforts. He stated that the decision was taken with the hope that their child’s body would help medical students learn and eventually save other children’s lives. The family believes that although their daughter could not survive, her contribution may bring hope and light to many others in the future.
