Cultural practices of the Zulu ethnic group on the body and their influence on body donation (original) (raw)
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Cultural Strictures to the Practice of Body Donation Programme in Africa
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For centuries, dissection of cadavers has been the backbone of anatomy teaching with extensive debates on the controversial topic of cadaver acquisition. This stems from the historical evidence of early surgeon-anatomists and their students who received bodies from resurrectionists. Furthermore, bodies of the poor and marginalized and executed criminals were used. In 2004, the Department of Clinical Anatomy (DOCA) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) was formed by the merger of the departments of anatomy at the University of Durban-Westville and University of Natal Medical School. This study focuses on the pool of intake of cadavers during the colonial and democratic eras from 1952 to 2013 in order to describe the demographic trends of cadaver acquisition at UKZN. Cadaver records obtained from DOCA were computerized to form a database using the following demographics: (i) age, (ii) sex, (iii) race, (iv) donated/ unclaimed, and (v) method of disposal. Preliminary findings show i...
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Anatomy education in most African countries is limited by an insufficient number of cadavers for students to undertake dissection. This already significant shortage is exacerbated by an increasing number of medical schools and students. Virtual dissections are impractical in alleviating such a shortfall in African anatomy education, and further cadaver supply is challenged by unethical and dubious sources. This study was designed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practice of whole body and organ donation by Nigerian anatomists with the aim of finding solutions to the problems associated with the availability of cadavers in Nigerian medical schools. Out of 46 anatomists that participated in the survey, only 23.9% would consider donating their whole bodies and 60.9% their organs. More than 95% of respondents did not believe that body bequests could become the sole source of cadavers for anatomic dissection in Nigeria. Age and gender were not statistically significant in the choice of being a body or organ donor. The unacceptability to one's family members regarding body donation was the major reason for respondents' unwillingness to make a whole body donation. None of the 14 medical schools sampled in this study have yet instituted a body registration and donation program. The anatomists showed a high level of knowledge and awareness of body bequest programs, which were not reflected by their attitudes and practice. The authors recommend proactive measures aimed at improving the perception and attitudes of Nigerian anatomists.
Nigeria's cadaveric donation framework is in a parlous state, and this unenviable position is a manifestation of one key factor i.e. the society's heavily saturated environment of culture and tradition, as well as the role of religion. Prior to the law, matters of the cadaveric donation was hampered bycenturies-old customary practices, norms, and traditions connected to corpse mystification and ancestors' worship, most of which regarded the act as a serious taboo. The boldest attempt at regulating cadaveric donation took place with the signing into law of the National Health Act 2014. However, even though this law has come to stay, it has also been largely criticized as overly western in substance, and totally disconnected from those it was meant to govern. It is against this background, that this Paper explores the contests and conflicts between these age-long customs/traditions, religion, and the law, with a view to highlighting the underlying flashpoints. This Paper makes the argument that the current law should be celebrated as a major departure from these harsh practices and further advocates the need for it to be embraced by all and sundry. This Paper reaches the conclusion that if the potentials in the current law are properly appropriated, it offers a historic opportunity for further gains in the near future.
Anatomical human body donation in South Africa: Inconsistencies of informed consent
Annals of Anatomy, 2024
Introduction: Informed consent is critical for maintaining the ethical standards associated with the utilization of human donor bodies by tertiary education institutions. Body donation programs undertake the responsibility for procuring human donor bodies for didactic and research purposes. However, its processes require scrutiny regarding best practice guidelines and the South African National Health Act (SA-NHA) (2013). Moreover, acknowledging and addressing the current perceptions of human body donation are indispensable in bridging the gap between academia and society. This study aimed to compare informed consent documentation and pro cedures across South African tertiary education institutions and their affiliated human body donation programs (HBDP) in accordance with international guidelines. The findings were used to create a human body donation form template aligned to current international best practices for consideration by the South African HBDP. Methodology: A review of information and consent forms collected from South Africa’s eight HBDP was ducted. The analyses consisted of a broad evaluation of information provided, ranging from the terms-of-use for human donor bodies to the commitments made by HBDP to body-donors. The results were considered in conjunction with the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists and other recent publications on informed consent in HBDP. Results: Only two of the eight HBDP provided information and consent forms in more than one language. Most allowed donors to select how their bodies will be utilized – education, training and/or research. Some (6/8) made provisions for the next-of-kin to receive the cremains. Only one tertiary educational institution mentioned the occurrence of a memorial service in its documentation. An HBDF template was created aligned to current international best practices for presentation and possible adaption by SA HBDP. Discussion & conclusions: Human body donation forms (HBDF) requires thorough examination for the promotion and sustainability of HBDP. Effective communication by employing standardized non-technical terminology conveyed in language that is understandable and native to potential donors facilitates the deliverance of informed consent. Inconsistencies regarding the use and management of bodies catalyze the weakening perception of human body donation. Thus, this process of securing informed consent for body donation should be conducted in conjunction with public awareness campaigns and underpinned by the necessary policy and islative reform.
A Crevice Look to the Indoors of Body Donation
https://www.ijhsr.org/IJHSR\_Vol.7\_Issue.6\_June2017/IJHSR\_Abstract.048.html, 2017
The concept of body donation has evolved over centuries and there are still considerable discrepancies among countries regarding the means by which human bodies can be acquired and used for education and research. In many countries the act of body donation is guided by laws and ethical frameworks. This has evolved alongside the needs for medical knowledge and for improved teaching of human anatomy. They have well established donation programs to engage the donated bodies to teach human gross anatomy for dissection. In contrast, there are countries without donation programs where unclaimed bodies or perhaps a few donated bodies are used for dissection requirements. The wield of cadavers for dissection is unthinkable for cultural or religious reasons in many countries. The present review revealed that the medical professional who preaches the benefits of body donation fails to apply their professional knowledge in to practice on themselves or among their family members. There should be a convergent organisational structure to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Comprehensive research is performed in Western countries for the motivation towards body donation; however, there is still insufficient research on body donation in India to provide information on how to increase the body-donation rate. There are differences in education level and socioeconomic status between the willing donors in India and those from Western countries. The root level changes in attitude towards the donation programmes should be emphasised. Multi-focused awareness programs should be conducted after assessing the pitfalls of each program which has been already executed before.