Renowned Pathologist Advises on Autopsy

By Ayodele Adeyemo

A renowned pathologist, Professor Abiodun Afolayan says autopsy is the most reliable authentic and scientific way of ascertaining the true cause of death rather than mere speculations, conjectures and cultural explanations which often may lead to controversies and family or public mistrust.

The Consultant Pathologist disclosed this at the recent GRAND ROUND forum for members of staff of UniOsun Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

Prof. Abiodun Afolayan, a Consultant Pathologist is the Head of Department of Anatomy and Pathology in the Hospital.

According to the expert, autopsy clears any doubts about both circumstances and pathology surrounding death. It is a form of information to the relations of the deceased to clear whatever doubts as in some situations, people attribute deaths to speculated reasons which often than not are not true.

Professor Afolayan opined that there are some diseases that run in the family that often may lead to a death pattern in such family.

He said “It is through autopsy that the actual causes of such a death pattern, possibly due to particular diseases in the family, can be ascertained through autopsy findings, and further deaths be prevented in future for such a family.”

Afolayan disabused the mind of the public on ill conceived opinions that pathologists harvest organs during autopsy for sale or for nocturnal purposes.

He said though relatively, autopsy could be voluntary but in coroner cases it is compulsory especially when death cases are reported to the police.

He further disclosed that Coroner’s autopsy must also be conducted on patients who die in circumstances that can not be explained, patients who are brought dead to the hospita, patients who die within 24 hours of being admitted, patients who die from homicide etc. Such cases are beyond the relatives of the dead.

Prof Afolayan assured that autopsy can be expedited to meet request for early burial as it may be necessary in some religions as long as it is not a coroner case.

He advised the public especially the media to stop speculating or carrying rumours on what might be the cause of death of a particular individual but wait for accurate information from appropriate authority based on scientific findings through autopsy.

“GRAND ROUND is an open monthly meeting at UniOsun Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, on a chosen topic led by an expert, with a view to equipping the staff with appropriate information on medical problems, treatment and clear doubts regarding medical issues and practices.” He said.

In his remark at the meeting, the Chief Medical Director, Professor Peter Babatunde Olaitan said the purpose of choosing the topic “Autopsy : Practices and Challenges” for this month’s GRAND ROUND is to review the hospital’s policy on autopsy in line with international standard and also enlighten the members of staff on the importance of Autopsy so that they would know how to educate the public on the need for autopsy and erase the wrong insinuations on autopsy especially misinfornation regarding its conduct.

The CMD advised members of staff in the hospital to be mindful of any information to be released to patients and their relatives so as not to cause panic or raise doubts.

He urged all categories of staff to operate within their competence and refer patients and their relatives to the most qualified person managing the patient for appropriate information and counseling concerning patients’ health.