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UDUPI: In a major goof-up, the health authorities in the district handed over the body of a man who died of Covid-19 to another family on Sunday.
A 68-year-old man from Neramballi in Kundapur was undergoing treatment at the TMA Pai Covid Hospital for over 20 days. On Sunday, the kin of the patient received a call from the health department informing of his death. The health officials also informed that the dead body, which was kept in the Udupi District Hospital mortuary, will be brought to the crematorium in Kundapur and family members may see it from a distance.
Speaking to TOI, son of the deceased said, “Initially, they did not allow us to go near the body. We put up a strong demand and they allowed us to see him after wearing PPEs. However, we were shocked to see someone else’s body inside the plastic bag. We could have cremated an unknown person instead of my father, if the bag had not been opened. We have sought justice from the authorities concerned for this mess.”
Tension prevailed at the crematorium premises in Kundapur when the incident came to light. People gathered in large numbers and joined the family members to seek answers. Police and revenue department officials rushed to spot and tried to pacify the family members. However, relatives were reluctant to move until the body of the actual victim was brought to the crematorium.
Finally, the situation was brought under control after the body of the 68-year-old was brought to the crematorium. Meanwhile, the body of the youth from Karkala, who also died of Covid-19, was sent to his native place to conduct the last rites.
Udupi deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha said all necessary steps will be taken to ensure such goof-ups are not repeated in future. “It is a mistake on the part of an ambulance driver, who was given the task of shifting the body of the Covid-19 victim from Kundapur. Instead of the 68-year-old victim, the driver shifted the youth’s body to Kundapur. I have directed the special team in the district involved in organising funeral of Covid-19 victims to take extra care while shifting the bodies,” the DC said.
Meanwhile, district surgeon Dr Madhusudhan Nayak said a departmental inquiry will be initiated into the incident. “Several of our staff are forced to work overnight without rest and many have threatened to resign. This may lead to shortage of staff in future. However, a departmental inquiry will be conducted and action will be taken against the errant,” he said.
A 68-year-old man from Neramballi in Kundapur was undergoing treatment at the TMA Pai Covid Hospital for over 20 days. On Sunday, the kin of the patient received a call from the health department informing of his death. The health officials also informed that the dead body, which was kept in the Udupi District Hospital mortuary, will be brought to the crematorium in Kundapur and family members may see it from a distance.
Speaking to TOI, son of the deceased said, “Initially, they did not allow us to go near the body. We put up a strong demand and they allowed us to see him after wearing PPEs. However, we were shocked to see someone else’s body inside the plastic bag. We could have cremated an unknown person instead of my father, if the bag had not been opened. We have sought justice from the authorities concerned for this mess.”
Tension prevailed at the crematorium premises in Kundapur when the incident came to light. People gathered in large numbers and joined the family members to seek answers. Police and revenue department officials rushed to spot and tried to pacify the family members. However, relatives were reluctant to move until the body of the actual victim was brought to the crematorium.
Finally, the situation was brought under control after the body of the 68-year-old was brought to the crematorium. Meanwhile, the body of the youth from Karkala, who also died of Covid-19, was sent to his native place to conduct the last rites.
Udupi deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha said all necessary steps will be taken to ensure such goof-ups are not repeated in future. “It is a mistake on the part of an ambulance driver, who was given the task of shifting the body of the Covid-19 victim from Kundapur. Instead of the 68-year-old victim, the driver shifted the youth’s body to Kundapur. I have directed the special team in the district involved in organising funeral of Covid-19 victims to take extra care while shifting the bodies,” the DC said.
Meanwhile, district surgeon Dr Madhusudhan Nayak said a departmental inquiry will be initiated into the incident. “Several of our staff are forced to work overnight without rest and many have threatened to resign. This may lead to shortage of staff in future. However, a departmental inquiry will be conducted and action will be taken against the errant,” he said.
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