Department of Forensic Medicine in Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH) has been revamped. If one visits the department, one would get to see a modern mortuary equipped with all facilities, probably only one in GMCHs in Maharashtra. About 10 years ago, High Court had asked Department of Medical Education to take a cue from the department of Forensic Medicine at Goa and introduce changes in Forensic Medicine department. No medical college in Maharashtra took up the initiative. But, Dr Makrand Vyawahare, Head, Department of Forensic Medicine at IGGMCH changed the look of mortuary, classroom, autopsy room etc of his department.

 

He pursued with Government to get the funds. In medical colleges, nobody thinks of providing facilities to the relatives. There is no proper sitting arrangement for them in most medical colleges. Department at IGGMCH has taken every single thing into account and introduced changes. In June 2017, when Dr Makrand Vyawahare took over charge of the department at IGGMCH, it was in a bad shape. Dr Vyawahare started various developmental projects for the upgradation of this department. The animal house, which was under the pharmacology department, was taken over by the department of Forensic Medicine, after completing all procedures. Dr Vyawahare pursued the matter to get funds from DPDC, out of that a new cold storage complex was constructed and three- 6 Body cold storage cabinets were purchased and installed which are running in good condition till date. Police and victims always face problem at this department because of time-taking procedure. To ease the process, a web based ERP (enterprise resource planning software) was installed for all medico legal reports which includes autopsy report, age estimation report, physical examination of sexual assault accused report, sexual assault victim examination report, death certificate, form no 4 and 8, viscera forms, histopathology form has been implemented.

 

This forensic medicine ERP software is developed by Dr Vyawahare himself. It is the only centre in India which has this ERP forensic medicine software. In 2019, the department constructed a 250 capacity air conditioned lecture hall for students, by which IGGMCH got recognised for 150 student intake capacity. Dr Vyawahare told ‘The Hitavada’, “The mourners shed was expanded and renovated and sitting capacity for relatives of the deceased was increased with proper drinking water facility and washrooms separate for men and women were constructed. The parking area for the relatives of the deceased was constructed with a shed. In 2018, the upgradation of the department was taken up in phases. In Phase I, construction of a new mortuary complex was proposed and the proposal was sent for administrative approval. State Government gave approval and construction work started.”

 

On the ground floor, there is one Autopsy Hall having four autopsy tables and underground drainage facility. Every table has in-built concealed water supply and drainage. Dr Vyawahare elaborated, “In the autopsy hall, a special vision capturing system with cameras installed over two autopsy tables are available controlled by special software and installed in a separate desktop computer with remote and a separate server. The autopsy hall is constructed with a double height of 24 feet with all proper ventilation and exhausts. It has LED lights with fog lamps providing high quality illumination which will enable it to conduct postmortem examination even after sunset. The double heighted Autopsy Hall has a viewing gallery for 50 students 25 each on ground and first floor which will facilitate audio-visual learning for students.”