The grass root level health officials are requesting the government to focus on providing a dignified end for the people who are dying with Covid if there is no plan to prevent from the death Lankasara learns.
This written request mentions that the capacity of the crematorium has been exceeded in the backdrop of overcrowding in the mortuaries of the hospitals as every Covid death has been referred for postmortem examination. They urge attention should be paid to preparing mass graves and burying the bodies.
It is reported that the number of Covid patients dying at home has increased and according to a government circular all the bodies should be brought to the closest hospital. People claim that some funeral parlors charge big amount to transport a body even the home of deceased person is at close proximity to the hospital.
In this context, the Ministry of Health has informed the grassroots health sector emphasizing five points.
The facts are as follows.
1) Allow space for a coroner in the area to cremate a non-suspicious covid infection at the same time. Suspicious deaths only by coroner
2) Having a “Covid Body Transport Team” ready 24 hours a day with each local authority for such funerals. (Workers, Vehicles, Safety Apparel and Supervising Officer.)
3) 24 hour active crematorium.
4) Formal legal provisions relating to the disposal of Covid corpses.
5) Permits and places for burial if bodies are piled up beyond the capacity of the crematorium. There may even be mass graves.
Grassroots health sector urge for new formalities of deaths handling
