COVID patient’s body was waiting for last rites for 4-day

Aurangabad, Dec 8:

The dead body of -72-years-old Novel coronavirus patient was lying in the mortuary of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for four days as last rites were not performed due to lack of coordination. The incident came to light on Tuesday.

According to details, the patient from Shahnoorwadi was admitted in GMCH on November 25.

He died on December 4 while undergoing treatment at Super Speciality building. His relatives were informed. The relatives saw the dead body in the ambulance and left for home. They received a phone call from the GMCH on Tuesday informing them that the last rites are yet to be performed on the dead body.

The family members were shocked to hear this. They were in doubt whether the last rites were performed on another patient’s body on December 4. They rushed the GMCH and learnt about the whole incident. Last rites were performed on the body at Begumpura crematorium today after they brought permission from Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). Pal of gloom descended on the family members and relatives twice due to the incident.

Talking to this newspaper, son of the deceased said they were given information about the death at 11 pm on December 4 and last rites to be performed on the body later process.

“However, we were not asked about bringing permission from the AMC. Had they told us about the permission, the body would not have remained lying in the hospital sans last rites. We had given our contact details to the GMCH. This happened because there is no communication and coordination in the Government hospital,” he added.

Commenting on this, GMCH medical superintendent Dr Suresh Harbade said that they had called the relatives on the given mobile number, but, could not get connected. “Relatives have to bring permission of civic body for the last rites. Relatives saw the dead body and left. So, last rites were not performed on it,” he said.