Woman staffer part of 1,200 autopsies in 18 years

Mysuru: Rajamma, a 40-year-old woman from Saragur taluk health hospital, spent nearly 18 years working as a post-mortem assistant, a job that many find intimidating. With 18 years of service and more than 1,200 autopsies to her name, Rajamma proved her steel.
In a profession surrounded by fear and discomfort, Rajamma established herself as a resilient and capable worker. Initially, poverty pushed her to join as a caregiver at the maternity ward in HD Kote taluk hospital in 2005. However, a year later, her bold nature caught the attention of taluk health officer Dr Ravi Kumar. Seeing her potential, he entrusted her with the task of assisting in autopsies.
Rajamma recalled that the first time she performed an autopsy, she fainted from discomfort. But, rather than being deterred, she took it as a challenge. "I have been working as a post-mortem assistant since 2006. Dr Ravi Kumar trained me thoroughly. At first, it was strange and uncomfortable, but with Dr Kumar's support, I got through it," she told TOI. "Now, I can help perform an autopsy in under half an hour," she added.
Despite the stigma that often surrounds her work, Rajamma remains focused on her responsibilities. She is a single mother, raising her daughter, who is in the fourth grade, and cares for her elderly mother and aunt. "People often ask how I can do this job. But for me, there's no fear. I have to work to take care of my family," she explained.
Rajamma's only wish is to make her job permanent, so she can secure a stable future for herself and her daughter. She had studied only up to the seventh grade, and wasn't able to continue her studies due to the financial conditions of her home. However, she dreams of providing her daughter good education and a better life.
Dr Ravi Kumar said, "I gave her the opportunity to help me at the mortuary When a Group D employee at the mortuary was absent. Now, she is an invaluable part of our team."