Region’s first ‘body museum’ opens in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: The region’s first “body museum” has opened at Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa University, housing more than 150 plastinated human organs and cadavers. The museum is open to the public on weekdays and admission is free.

These specimens were donated to science by people and are now used to educate others about human anatomy and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

The museum was recently inaugurated by Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development (DCD), Prof. John O’Reilly, President of Khalifa University, and Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-Chancellor of Khalifa University.

The Anatomy of the Human Body exhibit focuses on the regional and systemic anatomy of healthy adult individuals. Specimens include whole human bodies, as well as other specimens showing single systems such as the nervous, skeletal, and respiratory systems. There is also a dedicated section emphasizing the impact of lifestyle diseases and pathological processes on human organs.

It is the first such museum in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and one of the largest in the world outside of Germany, university officials said.

Dr Al Hammadi said: “The Human Body Museum is a perfect complement to Khalifa University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), which has long been a leading institution in higher education and research in the UAE. The museum also reaffirms our commitment to advancing knowledge to A commitment to benefit humanity and to promote the heritage and culture of Khalifa University to lead, innovate, inspire and transform.”

He added: “The country’s first museum dedicated to medicine and health sciences is also in line with the UAE’s emphasis on creating a world-class healthcare ecosystem that not only ensures care for those in need, but also education and outreach , while developing well-trained and equipped medical professionals.”

Dr John Rock, founding dean of the university’s CMHS, said: “As the Khalifa University CMHS continues to make progress in developing human capital, the addition of this body museum will enhance the UAE and the region. We strongly believe that these exhibits will encourage the community to stay away from Habits that are harmful to the human body, while serving as a simplified anatomy lesson, combining visitor education and satisfying curiosity.”

Founding Head of the University’s Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Dr Dietrich Lorke, thanked the authorities for providing excellent learning tools for students and for the public to understand the wonders of the human body.

“This batch of plastination specimens is unique in the world. Visitors can also see the lungs and liver cirrhosis of smokers, which helps to highlight the negative effects of habits such as drinking and smoking,” he told Gulf News.

Dr Lorke said a website would be established to facilitate smooth bookings to visit the facility.