Unam sees unprecedented surge in body donation pledges THE University of Namibia (Unam) has recorded its highest number of body donation pledges in just four months – a first since its School of Medicine was established. This was confirmed by Unam School of Medicine’s Simon Namesho, who says from February to May 2025, four Namibians pledged to donate their bodies to Unam’s division of anatomy for scientific and educational purposes. He says this number is particularly significant considering that between 2010 and the end of 2024, a span of 14 years, only 11 Namibians registered as body donors. “Following extensive media coverage and public discussions early in 2025, interest surged dramatically. In a span of only four months, between February and May, an additional four Namibians officially pledged their bodies, bringing the total to 15,” Namesho says. He says nearly 30 additional people have contacted the university for more information or to request donor forms. According to Unam, the four new pledges represent more than a quarter of all body donation commitments received since the programme’s inception, marking a turning point in national attitudes. Namesho told The Namibian that historically, the university relied heavily on imported cadavers mainly from South Africa to support its medical training, adding that these imports are not only expensive but logistically complicated. Namesho says local donations, by contrast, reduce costs, simplify transport and preservation processes, and foster a deeper sense of national ownership in the country’s healthcare system. “This level of growth in such a short time is unprecedented,” says senior anatomy lecturer Anneli Poolman. According to her, each pledge is an invaluable contribution to the training of Namibia’s future doctors. “It shows that people are beginning to understand just how essential body donation is to medical education,” she says. Faculty of health sciences executive dean and veterinary medicine professor Judith Hall says Namibians donating their bodies to science is a powerful act of patriotism. “It symbolises the public’s trust and commitment to improving medical education and healthcare outcomes for the country,” Hall says. Associate dean of the School of Medicine Dr Felicia Christians says the change in public attitude is encouraging and long overdue. “This shows that Namibians are becoming more open-minded and willing to support the advancement of medical research and training. It’s a brave and selfless decision that directly benefits our doctors-in-training,” she says. Unam continues to urge individuals considering body donation to have open discussions with their families as this remains critical. Previously, The Namibian reported on traditional and religious leaders saying they do not support the call by Unam for Namibians to donate their bodies for medical research. It is a taboo, they said. Both traditional leaders and clerics say donating bodies contradicts deeply rooted cultural beliefs about death, burial and the afterlife. Ovaherero traditional official Tjizapouzeu Uahupirapi says body donations could interfere with a deceased person’s transition to becoming an ancestor. “When people die, they become ancestors. Not burying them and donating them to the Unam School of Medicine would, I guess, stop them from becoming ancestors or from fulfilling their duties after death,” he says. The post Unam sees unprecedented surge in body donation pledges appeared first on The Namibian.

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