Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Aug 23: Following confusion and subsequent protest regarding handing over of the wrong body for final rites in Kundapur on Sunday August 23, the Udupi district government hospital has issued a statement explaining the incident.
A 65-year-old man from Koteshwar passed away due to coronavirus, after which the mortal remains were brought by ambulance to the cremation ground in Kundapur for the final rites. However, just before the final rites, it came to light that the wrong body was delivered. The shocked family members and locals protested over the incident and finally the matter was resolved.
Issuing a statement in this regard, Udupi district government hospital where the elderly man was admitted, said, "The 65-year-old patient from Koteshwar died in COVID hospital in Udupi. His body was brought to the mortuary in district government hospital, Ajjarkad. As the identification tag of the body was inside the cover and was not visible clearly, the group D worker wrongly sent the body of Karkala person to Kundapur.
"We are handling the COVID situation with a limited number of doctors and staff who are working day and night without taking a single leave for the past five months. Prior to this there were protests and allegations about the staff and our staff have complained about the mental pressure they are under, and have also asked for relief from their duties. They have not had proper sleep last night, and due to the work pressure, the bodies got exchanged by mistake. Some staff and doctors have decided to resign from their duties due to work pressure. We may fall short of staff in the coming days," said the official press release signed by the district surgeon.
Meanwhile, deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha, said in a media release, "The incident has occurred due to the mistake of the ambulance driver. He mistakenly took the Karkala patient's body to Kundapur. I have instructed the team which was formed to look after the death procedures of COVID patients to take extra care in future."
The DC also directed the COVID warriors to be more careful in their work.
He also directed a probe into the death of Raksha, the 26-year-old who died all of a sudden after a brief illness on Saturday August 22. A committee has been formed under the leadership of DHO Udupi. The committee has been asked to submit the report within four days.