Cuttack, March 12: A shortage of cadavers is affecting education at the state-run SCB Medical College here. The situation could get worse with the proposed increase in MBBS seats from the present 150 to over 200.

Medical students require cadavers for dissection to learn about the structure of a human body. “The college has been facing problems because of the lack of bodies. Barely 50 per cent of the number of bodies required is available,” said Bijay Kumar Dutta, head of the department of anatomy at SCB Medical College.

At least 20 to 25 cadavers are required every year. But the number of bodies available at the medical college has been far below the Medical Council of India stipulated student-cadaver ratio of 10:1. Consequently, practical classes are being conducted here with one cadavers for 25 to 30 students.

“The problem is not limited to SCB Medical College. The other two government medical colleges have also been facing a shortage of cadavers for practical dissections and anatomical studies. However, the situation is expected to improve with the recent amendment to the Odisha Anatomy Act,” Dutta told The Telegraph.

The amendment has legalised voluntary body donation. The state government amended the Odisha Anatomy Act, 1975, on February 23.

“The amendment has simplified the process of body donation by a person and also by relatives of a dead person. Such bodies were hitherto not received by medical colleges,” Dutta said.

Previously voluntary donors had to file affidavits and undergo the hassle of registering themselves to donate their bodies for use in medical education.

“But now, they have to sign simple forms for submission of their bodies for medical education and research. The relatives of a dead person can also donate the body in the same hassle-free process,” said Khirod Rout, a lawyer.