Medical students’ professional success depends on cadaveric dissection

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevda Lafcı Fahrioğlu from the Faculty of Medicine Cyprus of International University (CIU) stated that the students in the Faculty of Medicine have the opportunity to get to know the human body through cadavers and said, "Body donation is very important for students to successfully practice their profession after graduation and to rehabilitate many patients."

Noting that anatomy as an academic discipline has an important role in medical education, Lafcı noted that a solid knowledge base in the field of medicine cannot be established without learning the scientific characteristics of the human body’s parts and organ systems.

Lafcı pointed out that they established the Cyprus Turkish Anatomy and Clinical Anatomy Association (KTAKAD) in 2019 as academicians who have made an academic career in the field of anatomy, and added that their goal as an association is to raise public awareness of "Body Donation".

Giving information about the things to be considered before donating the body to medical science, Lafcı noted that in case of death, the heirs have a right to the deceased person, therefore, it is important to discuss this issue with the heirs beforehand since body donation cannot be made without their consent.

Lafcı also stated that after the donor's death, the relatives of the donor should initiate the proceedings without delay and said, "It is important for you as the donor to ensure that your relatives are informed about this matter in terms of fulfilling your will."

Lafcı said that sometimes people donate organs and organ donation does not prevent body donation.

Lafcı reminded that all kinds of commercial activities related to human organs, tissues and bodies are prohibited by law, and that no payment is made to the donors after body donation and that the fees in the news about the costs of “importing cadavers from abroad' in the press are the costs of embalming, transportation and storage.

Lafcı also stated that the donation procedures are carried out in cooperation with the TRNC Ministry of Health, adding that the ministry directs the donor to the anatomy department of a medical school that actively provides medical education in the TRNC.

Emphasizing the importance of cadavers in the professional learning and academic success of medical students, Lafcı noted that it is a sublime humanitarian service to contribute to science and the future with 'Body Donation' so that future physicians can receive the best and most accurate education.