On October 31 1918 – 100 years ago today – the first body from a “poor house” was donated for medical studies to what was then called the University of Malta’s School of Anatomy, according to a recently discovered ledger.
Jean Calleja Agius, the head of the what is today called the Department of Anatomy, on Wednesday marked 100 years since the first cadaver, an unknown male, was donated to the University for medical research and training.
Since 1918, some 1,500 bodies have been donated to the University, she said, adding that this “noblest of acts” had helped thousands of students become medical professionals over the years.
To mark the centenary, the University unveiled a memorial garden at its Msida campus, for the friends and relatives of these donors who until now had nowhere to pay their respects.
“We wanted to give a place for reflection for those whose family members chose to do a selfless thing and help future medical professionals,” Prof. Calleja Agius said.
The small garden, beside the University’s chaplaincy, was visited by the relatives of several who had donated their body to the university of the years.
Rector Alfred Vella said the act of “sublime altruism”, of…
