In a shocking incident, relatives of a deceased COVID-19 patient allegedly carried his dead body in their own auto for the final rites in Nizamabad, Telangana. The patient, who hailed from the village of Bhimgal, died from the infection a day earlier, as per a TNN report.
An official release stated that three COVID-19-related deaths were reported at the Nizamabad hospital on July 9. After the formalities were done, the bodies were given to the mortuary. Two bodies were sent in ambulances as per protocol.?
Before the ambulances could return to pick up the third body, the relatives began pressurizing the staff of the mortuary, saying that there would be a delay in the arrival of the ambulance. They said that they had their own auto and carried the body in it. An official told news agency PTI that the family was assisted by a relative, who often visits the hospital for certain work. They performed the final rites of the deceased patient at a graveyard in Nizamabad.?
State Director of Medical Education, Ramesh Reddy, has ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident and notices have been served to the mortuary personnel for letting the family take the dead body in their own auto, in violation of guidelines for disposal of a COVID-19 patient’s dead body.?
Instructions have been issued to the hospital superintendent for filing criminal cases against staff responsible for the negligence and violation. The DME has also instructed all the hospital superintendents to strictly adhere to the guidelines and ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future.